Learning Copperplate...

[smk]

That is an awesome start Martin. The control does show - you shouldn't have too much trouble with picking Copperplate up. I find Spencerian much more challenging than Copperplate so I expect your journey in the reverse of that order to be easier.

 

Salman

[mvarela]

That is an awesome start Martin. The control does show - you shouldn't have too much trouble with picking Copperplate up. I find Spencerian much more challenging than Copperplate so I expect your journey in the reverse of that order to be easier.

 

Salman

 

Thanks, Salman! I'll post again in some time to show how's it coming along...

[mvarela]

Some more practice from tonight. The larger copy is written at 6mm, with a Baignol & Farjon 2436ef, and the smaller one at 4mm with an Esterbrook 357. The lower one was written significantly faster, as well.

 

Still plenty of stuff to fix, but I'm liking this more and more

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7337/12226782664_c39b9bd688_b.jpg

 

Extra bonus if you can see where my guidelines moved under my sheet...

[smk]

Great to see the practice sheet Martin.

 

Do you find it harder to keep to the guidelines if they are no printed on the paper? I felt my learning and practice is helped greatly by having the guidelines printed on the paper rather than having them underneath.

 

Salman

[mvarela]

Great to see the practice sheet Martin.

 

Do you find it harder to keep to the guidelines if they are no printed on the paper? I felt my learning and practice is helped greatly by having the guidelines printed on the paper rather than having them underneath.

 

Salman

Hi Salman,

I prefer to use the guidelines under my sheet. It usually poses no problem, but here they shifted a bit... I prefer it this way, since I can write on (almost) any paper, an have a single set of guidelines printed out, rather than being limited to the paper I feed the printer. I've also had issues of ink not adhering to the printed lines in the past, which results in "broken" lines.

[mvarela]

A couple more words after some more practice.

 

http://i.imgur.com/SPqrfEF.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Rbv2t6T.jpg

 

The one below was done with PR Tanzanite... is that some sheen, or what?!

Edited February 3, 2014 by mvarela

[PrestoTenebroso]

I love the quotation. But be careful! Big Brother, may be watching…this forum. He's very "DETErmined".

Some more practice from tonight. The larger copy is written at 6mm, with a Baignol & Farjon 2436ef, and the smaller one at 4mm with an Esterbrook 357. The lower one was written significantly faster, as well.

 

Still plenty of stuff to fix, but I'm liking this more and more

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7337/12226782664_c39b9bd688_b.jpg

 

Extra bonus if you can see where my guidelines moved under my sheet...

Edited February 3, 2014 by PrestoTenebroso

[fuchsiaprincess]

Hi Salman,

I prefer to use the guidelines under my sheet. It usually poses no problem, but here they shifted a bit... I prefer it this way, since I can write on (almost) any paper, an have a single set of guidelines printed out, rather than being limited to the paper I feed the printer. I've also had issues of ink not adhering to the printed lines in the past, which results in "broken" lines.

 

Like you, I too prefer to have my guideline under my sheet. I usually use a bit of Blu-Tac to ensure that the two sheets don't move.

[fuchsiaprincess]

A couple more words after some more practice.

 

http://i.imgur.com/SPqrfEF.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Rbv2t6T.jpg

 

The one below was done with PR Tanzanite... is that some sheen, or what?!

That is pretty awesome sheening, Martin!

[mvarela]

Like you, I too prefer to have my guideline under my sheet. I usually use a bit of Blu-Tac to ensure that the two sheets don't move.

 

That's a brilliant idea! I gotta try it

 

That is pretty awesome sheening, Martin!

 

It's crazy, right? Under normal light, or if you lay it sparingly, it's purple in color, but when it shades, it goes crazy sparkly

[toxicwitch]

Hi - I was recommended this thread by Ken Fraser and have been reading through it over the last couple of weeks. I am interested in how those posting about learning copperplate are getting on now as the thread seems to have gone quiet. I have been working on learning copperplate for a few weeks now and am managing between 5 and 9 hours practice a week. Just wondering at what stage I should be at by now... I have just started introducing a few majuscules at the end of a session but I am putting off learning to join groups until I have all letters down as individuals. I am rubbish with computers but I will try and get my bidey in to do some scanning so that I can upload some exercises. Thanks!

[smk]

Welcome to FPN and to the Penmanship forum toxicwitch.

 

I am sure you must have seen in this thread that people vary in their rate of progress. Much depends on your interest and what you consider to be good enough before moving on to the next set of exercises. I am continuing to refine my understanding of the hand and can now look at my work with a more discerning eye.

 

Please do upload your work. You will get good feedback here if you want some. If not, we'll still be happy to see your work and progress.

 

Salman

[caliken]

It's great to see that this thread is still active and flourishing having reached 40 pages!

 

This was written with an Esterbrook 357 nib in a Unique Oblique penholder (the one in my avatar). The more observant may notice the slightly heavier hairlines in the two majuscules. I used a different, blunter nib for these, an old Brause Rose 76, to emphasise the hairlines, as I felt that this added strength to the composition.

 

I've forgotten the source of this quotation

 

Edited April 26, 2014 by Ken Fraser

[toxicwitch]

Hey thanks for the welcome. Thanks to Ken for his advice to my silly questions! I am still plodding on. I think I might be seeing a little bit of progress. I will upload a couple of practice sheets and you guys can let me know what you think. Be gentle! Thanks again! Lisa.

[toxicwitch]

Sorry - I have had major issues trying to upload these! Here are some examples of what I've been doing recently - all comments welcome.

 

I don't know if i've enough done this correctly - now you see why I like calligraphy - I haven't advanced beyond the medieval!

 

Lisa

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y397/toxicwitch/calig1_zpsde3d54bb.jpg

[toxicwitch]

I can only do one image per post - sorry!

 

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y397/toxicwitch/calig3_zps0a6053de.jpg

[toxicwitch]

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y397/toxicwitch/calig2_zps36d9d1fc.jpg

[smk]

toxicwitch - what instruction materials are you using? Also, what size are you writing at? While learning I found it much easier to learn the letter forms at an x-height of 1cm. You might want to give it a try to see how it goes at the larger size.

 

One of the learning techniques I have picked up is to use groups of 5 for my practice. For example, if you are practicing the letter 'n' - write 5 of them. See which ones are the best and tick mark them. Now write another batch of 5 trying to equal or surpass the ones you ticked before. This technique ensures that one's attention is focused on the task as well as keeps boredom at bay.

 

The early days are a good time to practice the basic strokes (see here). Mastering these strokes will make your task much easier.

 

Regards,

Salman

 

ETA: You might want to upload your images to one of the free image hosting sites and link from there. This will allow you to add multiple images in one post without depleting your quota on FPN. Once you become a Gold member, you will be able to use the Image Upload function here on FPN.

 

S.

[toxicwitch]

Hi - Ken Fraser recommended using the Jackson materials - I had started with Eleanor Winters but stopped and switched to Jackson - he was right - I prefer the letter shapes in the Jackson guide. I have done a lot of practice on the basic strokes you provided the link for - I did them for hours and only once I had them down did I move on to letters. I use them as a warm up excercise now before I start murdering actual letters! I am using an x-height of 4mm but I have tried larger too - I seemed more comfortable with smaller scale - I will try again with the larger size now I have more hours in. I am writing using a Gillot 404 - I have some 303 nibs too but they don't stay in my holder - they seem slightly narrower than the 404 even though the holder I have says it can take both. The nib just slips right up inside and ruins my attempts!! I think I write naturally with quite a firm pressure so I thought the 404 might be better suited having read a range of reviews before buying any. I suppose that might be why I am finding it hard to get a broad enough pressure stroke at the larger x-height. I am interested to hear what you use because I had a couple of bad nibs in my last batch. I am writing with a straightholder as I await delivery of one of Unique Obliques' holders. I have ordered a plastic oblique too because it should be here quicker. I'm hoping that the oblique might make life easier getting the right angle on the slant.

 

Thanks for your help! It will probably be a couple of weeks before I manage any more significant practice - I am doing some marking for our exam board and it is time intensive! I will upload something else when I think I may have made progress!!

 

Lisa.

Edited May 15, 2014 by toxicwitch

[smk]

Lisa - the 404 is a fairly stiff nib and 4mm is about the right x-height for this nib. It is not suitable for writing at 10mm. The 303 would be better suited for that size but is very sharp and a little hard to control. You might want to try a Zebra G nib if you have a heavy hand. These are a little more flexible than the 404 and much easier to control than the 303.

 

You will find nibs vary slightly in size, thickness and roundness. This is why oblique holders with brass flanges are recommended. The flange can be adjusted (carefully) to account for the slight variation in the nibs.

 

Good luck with your exams. You are very welcome to post whenever you are ready.

 

Salman