Copperplate practise

[MarieD]

Treecat, If I had one of the lovely FP's seen here in the FPN, I wouldn't want to go back to a rollerball .

Everyone needs a little inspiration and encouragement now and again....and maybe a little nudge .....dont give up

 

tipstricks and caliken. Thank you for the explanation to jpr's question regarding the use of oblique

nibs/holders. Although I do have an oblique nib I have only used it twice.

Edited April 27, 2009 by MarieD

[gibsona9]

Marie:

 

Fine work! I think you have wonderful control over your letter shapes...it is a very attractive Copperplate! Very inspiring.

 

I am also a fairly new student of Copperplate. I have some nice dip nibs (thanks to JBB), and also some wonderful flex-nib eyedroppers that are a joy to write with.

 

Here's a thank-you note I wrote to a gentleman who gave me some pointers regarding my Copperplate...first and foremost, to slow down and make more deliberate strokes... I have been working to try and keep my o's, a's, d's etc nice and oval...

 

Keep up the good work,

Brian

 

PS - I cut off my name on purpose because I rushed the capitals, and they turned out badly, ha! :embarrassed_smile:

 

[MarieD]

Nice neat work Brian, what nib and ink did you use?

 

As I am new to flex nibs and still experimenting with various makes etc, can you explain what a flex nib eyedropper is?

 

You were given good advice about taking your time, I found that by writing slowly and concentrating on each individual

letter I could obtain a better shape. Sometimes I get carried away and start to rush along, then you end up with all

sorts of problems, slant running off angle, mis shaped letters (as you found out yourself with the name part you cut off )

 

Lovely to see the achievements of others that are interesting in learning copperplate too

 

[gibsona9]

Marie,

 

I used an AA Waterman fountain pen with a #5 flexy nib, and Private Reserve American Blue ink (but the scan made it look darker...).

 

I am fairly new at this too, but as far as I can tell, there are two main types of pens that seem to work well for Copperplate:

 

1. Dip pens with flexible nibs. Dip pens seem to be the best way to get maximal line variation: super thin hairlines to wide downstrokes, with excellent thick-thin transition. I suppose proper Copperplate should always be done with an oblique nib or adapter.

 

2. Flexible-nib fountain pens. If you can find a flex-nib fountain pen, with a fairly fine point when not flexed, you can do some respectable Copperplate writing. Of course, the angle of the pen will need to be adjusted to be as close to the slant angle as possible... The only real advantage here is that you don't have to keep dipping...you can carry a pen (no ink bottle) and create Copperplate-style writing wherever you are!

 

I have two flex-nib fountain pens, and they are both AA Waterman "eyedropper" pens from the 1910's. An eyedropper is a fountain pen with no sac...the body (barrel) of the pen acts as the reservoir for the ink. So, you open the pen, fill it with ink using an eyedropper, and screw the section back on.

 

Most eyedropper pens were made between say 1900 and 1920, and during this era many makers were selling pens with some wonderful flexy 14k gold nibs. The only disadvantage is that these pens tended to leak ink from the joint where the section screws into the barrel. However, if you put a little lithium grease on the threads after inking, no leaks!

 

Sorry for the novel! In short, I use dip pens if I am at my desk at home, but the flex fountain pens if out and about...

 

Anyhow, I would love to see some more examples of your Copperplate writing if you get more time to write & post!

 

Thanks

Brian Baker

Edited April 29, 2009 by gibsona9

[MattN]

I recently ordered a used copy of Dick Jackson's book "Copperplate Calligraphy", as recommended by Caliken, and it arrived yesterday. I haven't had a chance to practice with it yet, but it looks very comprehensive. It offers stroke-by-stroke instructions for each letter, provides detailed examples of common mistakes and how to fix them, and includes plenty of exercises to practice with. I'm looking forward to sitting down with it this weekend!

[MarieD]

Brian, thank you for the description of an 'eyedropper' pen, now I know what the ED stands for in the pen sales info.

 

MattN, hope you are enjoying your new book......

 

Next work are practise pieces, written from 'The Atlas of Shipwreck and Treasure by Nigel Pickford.

Both on A4 Conqueror smooth white, Diamine Inks in Kelly Green and Deep Magenta, Black Parker Ink, 404 Gillott nib.

 

 

 

The coloured ink dosn't seem to scan as clear as the black.....

[gibsona9]

Go, Marie! Excellent. Very nice capital B's and P's -- they are tough for me to keep proportionate. Yours are very consistent. :clap1:

Edited May 2, 2009 by gibsona9

[MarieD]

Going to be dabbling with large capitals next, maybe incorporating a touch of colour with black ink. Possibility I am trying gold

and copper powder mix as well (given to me by a friend to experiment with), and gold and silver ink on black paper. I would love

to be able to get each letter the same proportion every time....practise and perseverance are the answer

[tipstricks]

Awesome works, Marie. Well done!

[MarieD]

These practise pieces are on black paper re-cycled from a very old photo album. All are written with a new Bandoola dip pen nib

using W&N gold ink, and Caran D' Ache gouache paint. Didnt post the silver ink pieces because they wouldn't scan/photograph very

well. Even the gold ink isnt as clearly pictured as it is in real life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[tipstricks]

Wonderful work, Marie! I can see a lot of progress every time you post, many compliments. :clap1:

Gold and silver colors are difficult to show, but with the right light they are wonderful. See, for example, these Caliken's posts:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...st&p=644695

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...st&p=645546

 

[MarieD]

Thank you for your continued interest Giampaolo, and also for the links to 'calikens' post. I have checked these out, his metallic

work is so beautiful. I am now going to do a bit of research to find out about this Maimen Ink he is using.

[Randal6393]

You mentioned the Ackerman pen. Yes, most are set up more for drawing than writing with. But the Gillott 303 model is great at Spencerian and Copperplate writing. That might be the one for you to acquire.

 

Enjoy,

[gibsona9]

Wow, Marie, the lettering on the black background is very dynamic... Nice!

Edited May 10, 2009 by gibsona9

[caliken]

Wow, Marie, the lettering on the black background is very dynamic... Nice!

 

Marie and Brian,

 

Very attractive and assured copperplate lettering - thanks for posting.

 

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/caliken_2007/Metallicinks12th.jpg

 

 

Following on from the metallic inks examples, here's one from a while ago.

 

Ken

Edited May 11, 2009 by caliken

[MarieD]

Randal6393, yes I think I would opt for the model with the Gillott 303 nib.

Brian, thank you for the encouragement.

 

caliken, the Maimeri web site must be having an update going on, cant get any info as to price and where the powder

is avaiable in the UK. It certainly has a lovely finish to it.