Manuscript Calligraphy Ruler?

[will96]

So, I wanted to know if anyone has heard of this Manuscript Calligraphy ruler. I can't seem to find any reviews for it, so if anyone has one, I'd like to know if it's something worth getting, because it looks like it will help a lot with my letter sizing.

[ever onward]

Hm. I'm not sure why you would need that.

 

You size letters in calligraphy based on the width of your nib (if you're going for the standard size in a hand, and not changing letter weight for artistic effect). So for example, if you're using a 2mm broad-edge nib and you want to write italic, you make 5 vertical marks with your nib, equaling a total of 10mm, and that's the x-height (or waist height, not counting ascenders or descenders) of your letters. That is, you turn your pen so you are holding it parallel with the writing line--your pen is horizontal--and you make marks with your nib that climb upward in a step or back and forth manner. Each hand has a recommended letter height of X nib widths. And since letter weight is always related to pen nib width (again, unless you are going thicker or thinner for artistic effect), your letter height will change whenever you change to a different-sized nib.

 

All this is to say: if you are using a broad-edged nib, you already have the tool you need for sizing your letters.

 

If you're using pointed pen, scratch everything I said. But even in that case, I still don't think you'd need that ruler.

 

IMO.

 

best wishes,

eo

[will96]

Thanks.

[barleycorn]

There are rulers available at a large stationer that have measurements for type. I have a 15 inch ruler with cm on the opposite side and two scales for lines of text. Not really useful for calligraphy since different hands use different scales of nib width to height.

[Randal6393]

Yes, I acquired a little 6" Manuscript ruler with the standard Manuscript nib pen widths marked off. I don't use them much but on occasion I want a quick-and-dirty for estimating the pw of a line. Works but not really all that accurate.

 

Pen width is great for learning and practice, especially when one is beginning to study an alphabet and style of writing. After a year or so of writing, one just writes. My favorite line ruling is l.0 mm. Allows me 0.3 mm for my miniscule letters and is convenient for the body of my writing. Is it 4 pw? 5pw? Don't know, don't care. I just pick a pen and write. Mostly because the difference between formal (5 pw) and cursive (down to 2 pw) italic isn't often apparent -- unless I am doing a set piece of calligraphy.

 

Enjoy,