My Journey To A Legible Hand

[N2theBreach]

Most importantly, I think, is to develop a relaxed hand. Search for words like "death grip" and "tripod grip." Try to use your whole arm and not just your fingers when writing. Practise, sketch, doodle.

 

This helped improve my speed tremendously. I'm new to FPs, and I'm trying to improve my writing, too. I came here with the "plant your hand firmly and shift when your fingers can't reach any further" method. I tried loosening my grip and lightening my arm when practicing.

 

Not long afterwards, I was doing interviews and taking notes at the same time. Since my mind can only do a few things at once, and I was trying to pay close attention to what was said, put it into buffer memory so i could write it down while listening to what they said next, keep eye contact, prepare exploratory questions to keep the conversation going, and take notes, I had to let something go! I said, "Hand, you're on your own!"

 

I couldn't believe how fast I wrote when I simply let myself go. Without trying, I was writing "with my whole arm" and I was I flying. It even caught the attention of those I was interviewing. Legibility suffered, but I could still read it. It did take up more room, but that was a small price to pay.

 

Also: I don't think I could have done it with a ballpoint.

[Inkyfingerz]

From what most people have said it seems I don't really need to learn a new method of writing, just break some bad habits that are common among the average "John Q" writer.

[notbob]

what you wrote about slower flex nib stuff....

 

 

I totally agree. I got a flex nib and started trying to emulate ...well.... almost anyone. Jes the control required to make up-strokes thin and down-strokes wide requires focus, concentration, and slowing down. Then, doing the very same with a non-flex nib made me realize I don't hafta learn a new hand or new script or anything, jes slow down and do what I already know, 3rd grade cursive, in a focused manner. Well, would you looky there. I CAN write nice. Amazing.

[GClef]

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-2214-1356121230389.jpg

[GClef]

I totally agree. I got a flex nib and started trying to emulate ...well.... almost anyone. Jes the control required to make up-strokes thin and down-strokes wide requires focus, concentration, and slowing down. Then, doing the very same with a non-flex nib made me realize I don't hafta learn a new hand or new script or anything, jes slow down and do what I already know, 3rd grade cursive, in a focused manner. Well, would you looky there. I CAN write nice. Amazing.

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-12635-1356126559581.jpg

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-13716-1355822048878.jpg

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-10663-1355959249338.jpg

[MusinkMan]

Maybe you just want to try a low cost italic-ish (is that a word?) pen. A Lamy Safari with a 1.1 mm can give you a lot of fun for only a little money. Just keep the nib at about 45-degree angle to the lines on your paper and go to work, just try to write your letters more legibly. Not necessarily slowing down to a snail's pace, but a little slower...and that is because it will take a little more time to form your letters intentionally. To me, it sounds like you are wanting to have a legible and interesting personal handwriting, as opposed to actually memorizing and learning the disciplines of an actual text. Is that correct, or are you searching for a new formal style to learn from the ground up? And lordy, don't be fooled by those magnificent examples that GClef is putting up. Purchasing a flex pen will not enable you to write like that any more than purchasing a cello would enable me to play like yo-yo ma. LOL! I guess there are a few lucky souls who are just "naturals", but for most of us learning to get good, pretty, quick lettering from a flex pen takes work and practice.

 

I think you should get a Lamy with a 1.1mm nib, turn the nib to 45 degrees, and see what comes out. You might pleasantly surprise yourself, bro! And if you decide you hate it, you won't have much money sunk into it.

Edited December 22, 2012 by MusinkMan

[MusinkMan]

This is totally just messin' around, so don't judge me too harshly. In your original post, it just seemed like you wanted to make your writing more legible and "fun", than to fuss with the rigors of studying a specific writing hand. I don't own a 1.1 mm nib, so I just threw something together with a 1.5 mm that I have.

[arunmadhav]

I too am on a similar resolution, to improve my penmanship this year. Waiting for my copy of Getty and Dubay to get started !

[o2bmark]

Interesting thread. I use stubs mostly and now may find I like cursive italic even better (they are new to me). I find that even when my handwriting sort of blobs up on the smaller letters that the line variation gives better clues as to what the letter is. Those sharp horizontal lines do stand out even in a blob of ink. I tend towards a printing cursive conglomeration of writing and do use my arm somewhat. Maybe unique to me, but the wider sharper stub is easier for me to read (yes, I have trouble reading my own writing....). When young I gravitated towards wet "float on a liquid film" nibs that required no effort to move and were silent. Now, I find I have trouble keeping such a slick writing instrument from over-travel--needing to somewhat "brake" the pen movement. Consistent even friction is now my friend. The pens I do best with now I can hear them when they work. Friction and scratchy are not the same. Imagine pulling a sharp razor over a leather strop, there is friction but it isn't scratchy. Finding the balance is the trick. Paper, ink, and pressure are user provided variables and can be used to fine tune. The above comments are predicated on my somewhat fast not overly large writing and would not really apply to very slow deliberate or large writing where a buttery smooth nib would be easier to control and not as prone to the over-travel risk of frictionless fast writing. Anyone else share my observations or find them sensical?

[FSUpenfan]

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-12635-1356126559581.jpg

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-13716-1355822048878.jpg

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-10663-1355959249338.jpg

 

I really like both of these hands, and I think they represent something close to what I'd like to achieve. Really nice work...

 

GClef, did you start learning with a particular hand, or has your style always been a little bit hybridized (if that's a word )?

[GClef]

...a little bit hybridized (if that's a word)?

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-6427-1361370563154_zpsa38d0621.jpg

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-2525-1361370906770_zpsc4c0ff54.jpg

[eaccents]

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-6427-1361370563154_zpsa38d0621.jpg

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/photobucket-2525-1361370906770_zpsc4c0ff54.jpg

 

Your handwriting is a good example of how a departure from the "norm" may be better than the "norm." Beautiful!