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MusinkMan

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Mickey Collectors Item

Mickey

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Unshaded Spencerian is more usually known as business hand.

This is understood, but there are various 'business hands,' with subtle and not quite so subtle differences from what is generally thought of as Spencerian. I simply wanted Brian to back way off on the shades, not make any other changes.

The liberty of the press is indeed essential to the nature of a free state; but this consists in laying no previous restraints upon publications, and not in freedom from censure for criminal matter when published. Every freeman has an undoubted right to lay what sentiments he pleases before the public; to forbid this, is to destroy the freedom of the press; but if he publishes what is improper, mischievous or illegal, he must take the consequence of his own temerity. (4 Bl. Com. 151, 152.) Blackstone's Commentaries

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Mickey Collectors Item

Mickey

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Exactly. One needs to learn not to flex the tines even slightly as one writes, so the lines are as fine as the ink will allow and swells do not occur unintentionally or prematurely. This is why I keep suggesting that people try to write unshaded Spencerian with a flexible point. A constellation of problems go away once you can do that.

 

 

I'll give it a shot...

 

fpn_1380174907__thinline.jpg

 

 

 

I hate to tell you buddy, but that looks a lot more like Spencerian. There are still a few unintentionally or prematurely heavy strokes (they look a bit like vagrant Copperplate visitors), but, in general, it's much better to my eye. Well done. Next time,

 

1) put swells on the capitals, but (when possible and appropriate) confine the shades to the lower half of the letters (i.e., begin capital stems utterly unstressed and wait, wait, wait... ahhhh),

 

2) shade d, t, and p (but start the p shade at the writing line - not before - and try to keep excess ink out of the turn at the bottom of d and t: this is difficult, I know)

 

3) If you feel compelled to shade h, k, and l, (it is utterly optional) make the shade almost undetectable (leave the viewer wondering if the extra weight is an optical illusion,

 

4) Similar to 3) above, begin the g, j, y descender unstressed, (broad starts on these downstrokes look like copperplate tropes to me)

 

5) Confine the shade on a, o, et al. to high on the left side; no extra ink at the bottom curve and no stress on the right side of a, d, et al. (this means keeping the bottom (right) half of the ellipse somewhat shallow and being careful with the following downstroke, so the two strokes don't inadvertently merge)

 

6) Don't shade the right downstroke of h, m, or n until you can make it look like a swell, not a straight-sided shade (no excess ink in the lead in or exit strokes)

 

I know that seems like a lot to remember, but observing these few suggestions could go a long way toward making your work look authentically Spencerian.

The liberty of the press is indeed essential to the nature of a free state; but this consists in laying no previous restraints upon publications, and not in freedom from censure for criminal matter when published. Every freeman has an undoubted right to lay what sentiments he pleases before the public; to forbid this, is to destroy the freedom of the press; but if he publishes what is improper, mischievous or illegal, he must take the consequence of his own temerity. (4 Bl. Com. 151, 152.) Blackstone's Commentaries

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MusinkMan Vintage

MusinkMan

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Well thank you, Manny! Yeah, I been practicin' some. I got obsessed with the dip pen, and I can't get enough of it.

I'm having fun with it, but I'm learning that it is a strict and demanding discipline. Takes dedication, that's for sure.

Maker of Custom Oblique Pen Holders

 

Visit me at http://uniqueobliques.etsy.com

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Stompie Collectors Item

Stompie

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This is why I keep suggesting that people try to write unshaded Spencerian with a flexible point. A constellation of problems go away once you can do that.

 

Perzackly! Build a good foundation and then add the fancy bits afterwards - makes things so much easier :)

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caliken Antique

caliken

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fpn_1380034655__hairofdog.jpg[/url]

 

p.s. I know. I write Spencerian with an italic accent. Can't help it.

Mickey,

 

Your "Italic Spencerian" is very attractive IMO.

 

It's beautifully balanced with understated shading and perfectly judged inter-letter spacing.

 

Your writing is calligraphic - without question.

 

Ken

Edited by caliken
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Mickey Collectors Item

Mickey

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Thank you very much, Ken. This is very much appreciated, especially the recognition of the attention I pay to spacing.

The liberty of the press is indeed essential to the nature of a free state; but this consists in laying no previous restraints upon publications, and not in freedom from censure for criminal matter when published. Every freeman has an undoubted right to lay what sentiments he pleases before the public; to forbid this, is to destroy the freedom of the press; but if he publishes what is improper, mischievous or illegal, he must take the consequence of his own temerity. (4 Bl. Com. 151, 152.) Blackstone's Commentaries

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caliken Antique

caliken

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Thank you very much, Ken. This is very much appreciated, especially the recognition of the attention I pay to spacing.

In music, as we both know, the spaces between notes is almost as important as the notes themselves

 

It's the same in calligraphy. No matter how well-structured lettering is, it's beauty or otherwise is ulltimately dependent on the overall appearance of the words on the page and spacing is paramount IMO.

 

Many good examples of writing could have been truly calligraphic if a little more attention had been paid to spacing. Although you posted only the one word, it is truly exemplary in that regard.

 

Ken

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hzsimms Rare

hzsimms

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I've decided that the reason I like iron gall ink is that your mistakes are not immediately apparent! Viva la invisible ink!

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caliken Antique

caliken

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This stark, and very powerful Gothic script was devised by the Austrian calligrapher, Friedrich Neugebauer.

 

Ken

 

fpn_1395994439__neugebauer_gothic_script

Edited by Ken Fraser
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thang1thang2 Extremely Rare

thang1thang2

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This stark, and very powerful Gothic script was devised by the Austrian calligrapher, Friedrich Neugebauer.

 

Ken

 

 

 

I believe I know of the image you're referring to, however it seems to have been deleted. Is there any way you could re-host it?

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MusinkMan Vintage

MusinkMan

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I like it, Marc! Things start improving rapidly when you write that much! If you concentrate on keeping consistent slants in your letters, it will make a humongous difference. I think the straight vertical lines on the graph paper are throwing you off. Try to picture the letters intersecting those vertical lines at the same angle as you write and see if that makes a difference. Really cool italics though...I like that 'olde world' look...like an old manuscript from Leonardo's day or something. Cool!

Maker of Custom Oblique Pen Holders

 

Visit me at http://uniqueobliques.etsy.com

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Travv801 New

Travv801

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Haven't been here for awhile. Got caught up and it's awesome to see everyone improving. Now I just need to get back to practicing. Been slacking for months.

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caliken Antique

caliken

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I believe I know of the image you're referring to, however it seems to have been deleted. Is there any way you could re-host it?

thang1thang2

 

As this forum had grown in size, I've been having a bit of trouble in locating old posted images - some have even inexplicably disappeared.

 

As a result, I've just started a new topic "Caliken's Calligraphy". I should be able to find posted images if they are all in the one place!

 

Thanks for your interest.

 

Ken

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Columba Livia Rare

Columba Livia

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Coming to you from the future, because I was concentrating more on writing than on the date. I did write this yesterday.

 

http://i.imgur.com/Sz4vsgp.png

 

 

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