Learning Copperplate...

[caliken]

Are there any particular exercises you would recommend?

 

Soki,

 

On the very first page of this topic, I posted the basic exercises for Copperplate (English Roundhand).

 

Ken

[fuchsiaprincess]

Are there any particular exercises you would recommend?

 

Soki,

 

On the very first page of this topic, I posted the basic exercises for Copperplate (English Roundhand).

 

Ken

 

Thank you once again, Ken! By the way, have your checked out this thread? I've left you a message.

 

Regards,

Soki

[fuchsiaprincess]

Today's practise :

 

The ink is the same as yesterday's (Penman liquid gouache).

 

http://i1027.photobucket.com/albums/y331/fuchsiaprincess/250911.jpg

[smk]

Soki - I really like the old style 'w' you use. I should be more regular in my practice.

 

Salman

[youstruckgold]

Today's practise :

 

The ink is the same as yesterday's (Penman liquid gouache).

 

http://i1027.photobucket.com/albums/y331/fuchsiaprincess/250911.jpg

 

 

http://gallery.me.com/youstruckgold/100320/Note/web.jpg?ver=131694939500017

 

 

[fuchsiaprincess]

Soki - I really like the old style 'w' you use. I should be more regular in my practice.

 

Salman

 

Thank you, Salman! I find that I can reproduce it more consistently.

 

Regards,

Soki

[caliken]

http://i1027.photobucket.com/albums/y331/fuchsiaprincess/250911.jpg

 

This looks much cleaner and smoother!

 

Ken

[ihtzazqamar]

Here is my today's practice sheet written with a Leonardt EF nib. Improving is becoming more difficult ans slower now.

 

 

Ihtzaz

[sniper910]

very nice fuchsiaprincess! i need to get practicing more too. i haven't in almost a month now because of work, but plan on picking up my pen soon. keep up the good work

 

ihtzaz-your work is coming along beautifully! i'm glad you stuck with it, very nice!

[caliken]

Improving is becoming more difficult and slower now.

Ihtzaz,

 

Your Copperplate is now well-developed and very attractive. The Leonardt EF nib, which has good flex and is an excellent nib for Copperplate at normal size, can be difficult to control consistently for small lettering. I would try a slightly stiffer nib such as the Gillott 404. At a small size, it's much easier to control the stroke widths with a less flexible nib. With regard to the letter widths and spacing, I would go back to using the following exercise to develop consistency.

 

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/caliken_2007/exercises400-1.jpg

 

Please don't be offended by this suggestion.

I have been writing Copperplate for years and still go back to these basic exercises from time to time, to keep my technique sharp.

 

Ten minutes a day can work wonders in developing and maintaining inter-letter spacing and consistency in stroke width and slope angle. After a while, you'll find that your lettering will appear more even, naturally.

 

You say "Improving is becoming more difficult and slower now" You are aware of the situation and are at the perfect place to make the breakthrough from "good" to "great" along with some others on this thread.

 

I know that this can be a difficult discipline, but it can be so rewarding!

 

caliken

Edited September 25, 2011 by caliken

[ihtzazqamar]

Thanks sniper910: Thanks for the kind words. Sticking is the right word.

 

Ken, Thanks for the compliment and taking your time to analyze the sample. Yes, I need to control letter widths, inter-letter distance and shading. I enjoy practicing. I need more targeted practice.

As far as going back to the basic sheets is concerned, sometimes I do. I will do it more often though.

 

Right after I posted the last sample, I did another without the pressure of posting. It came out much better. May be the hand was all warmed up and relaxed. Here it is.

 

 

Regards

Ihtzaz

[fuchsiaprincess]

Thanks sniper910: Thanks for the kind words. Sticking is the right word.

 

Ken, Thanks for the compliment and taking your time to analyze the sample. Yes, I need to control letter widths, inter-letter distance and shading. I enjoy practicing. I need more targeted practice.

As far as going back to the basic sheets is concerned, sometimes I do. I will do it more often though.

 

Right after I posted the last sample, I did another without the pressure of posting. It came out much better. May be the hand was all warmed up and relaxed. Here it is.

 

 

Regards

Ihtzaz

 

Ihtzaz, that is beautiful! You are correct on both accounts. When one writes just for the sheer pleasure of writing, it comes out much nicer. Also, I find that the hand does need to warm up a bit for the letters to flow.

 

Regards,

Soki

[fuchsiaprincess]

Improving is becoming more difficult and slower now.

Ihtzaz,

 

Your Copperplate is now well-developed and very attractive. The Leonardt EF nib, which has good flex and is an excellent nib for Copperplate at normal size, can be difficult to control consistently for small lettering. I would try a slightly stiffer nib such as the Gillott 404. At a small size, it's much easier to control the stroke widths with a less flexible nib. With regard to the letter widths and spacing, I would go back to using the following exercise to develop consistency.

 

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/caliken_2007/exercises400-1.jpg

 

Please don't be offended by this suggestion.

I have been writing Copperplate for years and still go back to these basic exercises from time to time, to keep my technique sharp.

 

Ten minutes a day can work wonders in developing and maintaining inter-letter spacing and consistency in stroke width and slope angle. After a while, you'll find that your lettering will appear more even, naturally.

 

You say "Improving is becoming more difficult and slower now" You are aware of the situation and are at the perfect place to make the breakthrough from "good" to "great" along with some others on this thread.

 

I know that this can be a difficult discipline, but it can be so rewarding!

 

caliken

 

Dear Ken,

 

We would never be offended by any suggestions from you - the master

 

How do you manage to get those crisp corners at the start and end of the downstroke?

 

Regards,

Soki

[caliken]

How do you manage to get those crisp corners at the start and end of the downstroke?

 

I use the same technique as demonstrated here by Dr Vitolo.

 

caliken

[sniper910]

[fuchsiaprincess]

 

 

That is lovely! The 'p' looks difficult, and you've executed it beautifully.

[ihtzazqamar]

 

 

I like the s, resting on its C.G. (Center of Gravity).

[Hex]

I was wondering if the nibs wear out ? I am using a gillott 404 nib. It is my 1st and I have not changed it since I started about a month ago.

It seems that they would need to be replaced every once in a while.

 

Yes, no, maybe ?

 

Thanks

 

PS There is a lot of pleasure to be derived from making a perfect character, especially one with flair, like F, B, P, etc.

I called my wife over and we celebrated with a nice Chianti. :=)

[fuchsiaprincess]

Hi George,

 

Yes, the nibs do wear out or rust over time. I generally check the tines, then smooth the point out on some micromesh, if it feels a bit scratchy. If that doesn't work, it goes in the bin.

 

I think Copperplate is a bit like golf. The sheer joy of getting a letter "just right" makes up for the frustration of the other letters, and we keep trying for that perfect shot over and over again

 

Regards,

Soki

[ihtzazqamar]

My today's practice sheet. It was a tough exercise. May be a bad day. I like the ink though.

 

 

Ihtzaz