Set About Fixing My Lowercase Q

[Rena]

Katu,

 

I like your pointy tails in your descenders. Your handwriting is very distinctive. My opinion regarding your "q" is that you were on the right track in your first posting, deciding on the more simple version with the straight downstroke and then up, ending with the swish off to the right — just practice a lot so you don't make the accidental loop. Also, practice to make the first stroke down very straight instead of curling off to the left, and this should help alleviate the tendency to loop it. The triangular loops on your "y" "g" etc., are wonderful, especially when these letters end a word. I imagine your hand almost singing in crescendo as you make these swoops. These are visually appealing, but make too many eye-catching triangular loops and the eye is overwhelmed. Just as your simple descender on the "p" is quietly elegant (peaceful), I think the "q" should be peacefully elegant (quiet).

 

The letter "g" is used much more frequently than the letter "q" and I think the simple "q" will immediately distinguish it from your "g" in any written piece. This assumes that you will not loop the descender on the "q" of course.

 

So there you have it — another opinion. Thank you for sharing this little journey into the evolution of your handwriting.

[rudyhou]

it is indeed quite unique. it looks rather like a 'g', which what the classic 'q' looks like. as for me, i never bring the tail up fearing my 'q' would look like a 'g'. but yours definitely has a character to it.

 

-rudy-

[ru32day]

Disclaimer: not an expert by any means - just had a thought that might (or might not) be a helpful contribution.

 

And I'm only a newbie here so hope I'm not being out of place (esp when in such accomplished company as Caliken).

 

I love your dashy, triangular descenders and agree that your initial "q" looked a bit "one of these things is not like the others".

 

I notice that your "p" is quite plain.

 

Although the new "q" fits well with your style, I wonder whether adding another very dashy descender contributes to a "busy" looking final result - a bit of dashy descender eye fatigue if you know what I mean.

 

Maybe a plain "q" - the reverse of your plain "p" - would be an option that would allow a cleaner overall effect and more "pop" from your existing dashy descenders?

 

Of course the new "q" looks like lots of fun to write though...

Edited December 18, 2010 by ru32day