Search the Community

Came across site today. I enjoyed it so I thought I'd share: https://seblester.tumblr.com/tagged/calligraphy

I have been practicing Sutterlinshcrift lately. What I noticed is that there are certain letter combinations in this type of handwriting that I expect would be confusing to differentiate with another. For example, an and om are quite similar, and a looks a lot similar to oc. In most case I expect this to be less of a problem since you can get the word from the context, but it won't be as easy for Names or uncommon vocabularies. How can you differentiate the letters in these cases?

Hi all, I know I'm at fault for not doing too much of my own research on this one, but masters applications leave me with no time. I've been doing pen and ink doodles for years now, but I always used paper that I found in basements and garages, regardless of quality. A friend has asked me to help him design a logo for his company. I was thinking about a dip pen and maybe India ink to do something like copperplate text, but I need paper that won't bleed and feather. Anyone have suggestions for something moderately priced? I'll take loose leaf or pads-- don't care. Would love an ink recommendation too if anyone has one. I've just been using Quink black this whole time, but maybe something else will also help to stop bleeding and feathering. Thanks!

Hello Fountain Pen Network users, I am very new and ignorant about Fountain Pens. I came here in the hopes of learning some more. I am impressed at the wealth of knowledge, activity, and support that is found here. I am learning calligraphy. I have a somewhat vintage pen that needs a little restoration; I will attempt to submit a question in reference to that pen, in your Repairs Q and A subsection. Thank you for all your contributions. Jairo in Longwood.

Hi all, Being a curious type of person, some time ago I was intrigued to see some Chinese pens described as having 'curved nibs' such as this: http://m2.uxcell.com/photo_new/20120713/c/ux_a12071300ux0223_ux_c.jpg I am slightly tempted to try one, but wish to know a bit more before making a decision. Now my questions are along the lines of: i) Are these a bit of a gimmick? ii) Are there variants on the 'curved nib' theme? iii) Are they worth the effort (how easy are they to use) and are the actual results disappointing? iv) If you have one, is it a pen which you 'go to', or does something hold you back for most situations (i.e. except doodling, playing, etc.) ...and any comments on their practical use etc. much appreciated. Best. E.

So have you guys got any recommendations of good caligraphy pens. I would prefer non dip ones as I write out and about. Any price range but not over £100

So have you guys have any recommendations about a really dark black ink that that doesn't fade out. I do regular caligraphy and I tried out diffrent bottled inks plopped them in my converters and tried them out. I tried a Cross black ink but the colour is terrible and goes gray. I heard about Noodlers black inks and how good they are but have yet to try it myself. So..WHAT DO YOU GUYS RECOMMEND?

Hello FPN, I'm posting on here because I really have no idea where to start - some of you are SO knowledgeable I'm hoping you can help! Perhaps this post can also be a reference for other people like me who are just getting started. The Background: I'm currently completing an internship / studying abroad in the United Kingdom, and will most likely be in Germany next summer for another internship. Being here has provided me with access to materials related to FPs that I have never experienced before. With that being said I'm originally from the North-eastern part of the United States, which is where I'm attending University studying Financial Economics with the intention to study medicine for my post-graduate studies. I received my first FP as a gift from my German friends when I was no older than 12 - at that time my FP hardly received any use at all. I always knew that I had it, but never used it because I was afraid kids at school would steal it, and I would be ridiculed for being different (both of those being highly likely). Coupled with my inability to easily procure ink cartridges in the U.S. and my complete lack of knowledge about converters, I also didn't want to "waste" my meagre ink cartridge supply. Regarding penmanship, I think I'm the only one of my friends that learned to write in cursive before learning to print! The first school I attended didn't teach "print" until the fifth grade. Naturally, as that was the first way I learned to write, and I find it quicker, I have always tended to write in cursive. My cursive however is dreadful, and it's something I've wanted to improve. Fast forward a few years to my recent past: After spending time in Germany last summer, the introduction to converters and, resulting from long hours during the school year, the means to procure what I wish - I'm now on a mission to expand my palate and understanding of the FP world. What I have: Pens - currently all of the pens I have are LAMY, because frankly I think (in my obviously biased opinion) that they are decent pens and if they happened to get lost I would not be worse for the wear. I have a LAMY: Studio, Al-star F, Al-Star 1,5, Safari B, My least favorite pen is the studio, for some reason I've never really liked it besides the day I bought it, and my favorite pen which I use constantly is the Blue Al-Star with an F nib Penmanship - a 5 book set off of Amazon that is supposed to teach me Spenserian. Paper Goods: only moleskin and basic writing paper. Ink - LAMY Black well ink, Noodler's Bulletproof ink What I'm looking for: Someone to point me in the right direction (hence the title). I would really like to improve my handwriting, and learn new fonts. I've read enough posts to understand that this is not a timeless task, and is probably something I will spend the rest of my life learning - which I'm fine with. To me it is something that is invaluable, especially in this digital world. With that being said, where does one start? Is it better to try and attend a class (are there even such things??) to learn the basics? Are there exercises people do? I'm also looking for someone to point me in the right direction for pens - I love my LAMY Al-star, but I think I'm ready to branch away from LAMY (or get a new one...) and begin understanding more about fountain pens. Clearly there are many old pens, new pens, weird, old pen makers and everyone on this network seems to have a ridiculously passionate opinion about everything they prefer about their pens. Nibs. Flexible nibs? Are certain nibs for certain papers? inks? pens? Are there nib guidelines? Do certain fonts require certain nibs? Are there nib-makers in this world? I'm not even sure what to ask for here because the extent of my knowledge about nibs is that they write differently and I like my LAMY F better than my LAMY B - and my LAMY 1,5 writes "cool". Inks - clearly my parents failed to educate me because until I started reading posts on here I thought there were ballpoint inks, gel pen inks, and the ink I had in my cartridges. Whoops. Does ink matter? Are there preferred inks for different things? How does one know what ink they like? I've noticed that all papers are not created equally. I will also admit that I was somewhat shocked when I learned that Moleskin had a horrible reputation amongst FP users. I now understand why (many of the reasons people seem to dislike their product are reasons I too have encountered - and ignorantly dismissed) people have definite opinions, but I frankly had no exposure to various types of paper where I lived in the States. What paper does one use for different things? Is there a standard weight that below which I should not ever buy? What about daily diaries, in both the European and American sense of the word? I've read things about Clairefontane (spelling?), are they the gold standard? So, if people would be willing to comment and tell me/show me where to find what I'm after I would be much obliged. I know that I have much to learn but I haven't found a thread yet that seems to address my questions and I'm tired of looking around and only getting a titbit here and a tad there. One last thing - I love getting letters, and that is where most of my time writing is spent. I often joke with my friends and family that I'm unloved if I check my mailbox and I don't have letters or that I am loved by so-and-so if they have sent me a letter. I'm not sure if that will help people answer my questions in a way that is more directed to me, but it might provide a little insight into my young mind.