How many fonts to have in my back pocket?

[Chessie]

I'm still an extremely new calligrapher and I feel like I've managed to progress to a place where I'm comfortable with the Foundational hand miniscules.  I'm starting on Roman capitals, more or less going back to where I was starting out - daily practice, start in similar letter groups, move to words, write a line and try to improve that line on the next line, practice individual strokes where necessary, etc. 

How many fonts do most calligraphers have available that they've fully practiced and prepared and maintain the skills to recreate on the spot?  Is it a matter of being able to do *any* font upon request if you've got an example of it?  Is it having a healthy collection and offering just those?  Should I just be able to use the 'hand finder' in the Calligraphy Bible and whip off any of them?

[Erica McPhee]

Calligraphy hands are like potato chips, once you have one, you just want to keep going! LOL.

The styles are called “hands” - (fonts are for computers). And how many you want to learn are up to you. I think most calligraphers have 2-3 that they develop and practice on a regular basis and probably one they really excel at (or focus the most on).

I do Engrosser’s Script, Spencerian Script, Italic, Blackletter (or Gothic), Uncial, and then dabble in a few like Roman Caps, pointed pen Romans, swingline (a modern style developed by Kate McKulla), Weaver Writing (a modern hand developed by the late Gwen Weaver), and my own modern pointed pen styles (infinite variety). But Engrosser’s and possibly Spencerian are my strongest hands. I can probably emulate most but not all well. 

Find whatever inspires you. You will never stop learning and you’ll find you will gravitate to many.