Practising for consistency

[Martín]

Some italic drills, working on the fundamentals...



Do you guys do these often?

[Erica McPhee]

That is some gorgeous Italic! 

I used to but now I only do them if it's been awhile and I'm rusty. 

[Martín]

That is some gorgeous Italic! 

I used to but now I only do them if it's been awhile and I'm rusty. 

I know... I do the same, but it still helps. Also, I feel a bit hypocritical telling people starting out to "do their drills", and then not doing mine
And thanks!

[Brad franklin]

I am going to hit Italic soon. I have dabbled in in. I am thinking of taking a class from  Reggie Ezall  in the next few weeks. We will see. But nice job Martin

[Martín]

I am going to hit Italic soon. I have dabbled in in. I am thinking of taking a class from  Reggie Ezall  in the next few weeks. We will see. But nice job Martin

Thanks! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!! Don't forget to post!

[tintenfuchs]

Wow, lovely!

I'd like to tackle Italic, but after working with the oblique holder and the pointed pen, I just can't seem to get the angle on the broad edge pen right, haha

[Martín]

Wow, lovely!

I'd like to tackle Italic, but after working with the oblique holder and the pointed pen, I just can't seem to get the angle on the broad edge pen right, haha

You should give it a go... it's such a versatile script! Also, the 45º angle comes very naturally, really.

[Brad franklin]

Sometimes i will draw a 45 degree angle somewhere on the page. Stop my flow and place my pen to make sure its right. It does mess up rtythm but eventually uyu wont have to do that. Like Martín said 45 degrees is not hard to obtain.

[tintenfuchs]

I thought Italic was supposed to be written in a 30° angle? Now I'm confused.

[Brad franklin]

According to the book the complete calligrapher "the italic alphabets provides a good model as he firsthand to learn calligraphy. The lowercase letters are 5 nibs widths in height and executed with the pen nib at a 45° angle. The slat of the letters is maintained at a angle 5° to 10° to the vertical ,depending on personal preference whatever angle is selected it must be consisting throughout the work.." 

However I have another book that says you can hold your pen at a 35 to 45° angle.
And to make them look heavier you can hold your pen angle to 30° this will also make your letters look more rounder.

[Martín]

I thought Italic was supposed to be written in a 30° angle? Now I'm confused.

For italic the nib is usually held so that it is at a 45º from the baseline. The slant itself is usually between 5 and 15º from the vertical. I tend to over-slant a bit.

[MarkG]

As someone told me once about my brush lettering on a sign forum-----'Nice 'practice', you show-off!!'

Looks great---what were you using, both pens and ink? Thanks.