Videos Of Everyday Handwriting?

[eaccents]

Wondering if anyone would post videos of themselves writing in their everyday hand.

 

I would really love to see HOW some of the beautiful handwriting is formed when pen is put to paper! I am new here and can't remember all the usernames but several in the penmanship section come to mind:

• GClef
• HDoug
• CaliKen
• ShinyDemon
• Amperisk
• Yennefer
• shoz_on4u

...and many more! You are all an inspiration to me to work at making my writing not only better but my "own."

 

Thanks in advance!

[Lyander0012]

Haha, everyday handwriting is quite different from calligraphic works, and in some instances (cough cough), there's a huge disparity between them. I'd be happy to show off my chickenscratch note-taking for everyone's amusement, but that's primarily because I'm quite bored at the moment

 

It would be awesome to see some of the master calligraphers on this site at work, though. I can never get enough of watching videos of good penmanship, haha.

 

 

Cheers!

Kevin

[eaccents]

Seriously, I'd be interested in seeing everyone's hand in action. I'm trying to improve just about everything: grip, letter formation, consistency, speed, rhythm, and style. A huge undertaking, I know, but I figure I have the rest of my life to work on it!

 

I spent the last 20 years at a keyboard, and when I had some time away from the computer I realized that my formerly neat handwriting had degraded into scribble. I'd like to at least get back to neat, but if I can get beyond that it would be icing on the cake.

 

I just got a fountain pen, and right now I'm working on loosening my grip. I've succeeded in no longer pressing so hard into the paper (a la ballpoint style) but I still have some work to do. Some days I'm successful and the pen practically floats in my hand but other days I can feel the pressure as my pen digs into my 3rd finger (in a tripod grip). It is, as I said, a work in progress. But I find the handwriting shown in the penmanship section to be truly inspiring!

[Lyander0012]

Well, here's what advice I can offer as someone who started getting into fountain pens just over a year and a half ago, and who has intermittently been working on improving his penmanship:

 

An orthodox tripod grip is really easy to learn and maintain, given enough practice (or are you a lefty?); so I recommend trying that out to see if it suits your style. Also, it's not only important to avoid pressing hard into paper, but also to avoid gripping the pen too hard. Learning to hold a pen lightly allows for less hand fatigue when writing, which makes long sessions quite pleasurable, as opposed to torturous on the digital muscles and the carpals. Proper posture also helps. I'm a sloucher by habit, and Ican tell you from firsthand experience that my back kills me when I forget to keep it straight when writing long journal entries and whatnot. I've only just recently started working on it again, but my being myopic makes writing with my back straight something of a pain in the eyes, so...

 

Lastly, pick a pen that has good balance with your hand. I personally really like full-size pens despite my none too large hands (probably because they're muscular enough to support slightly top-heavy weight), and am also a fan of medium nibs for my slightly tall handwriting. The Sailor Naginata nib, I tried really hard to like despite its being too broad for my regular writing before, and inadvertently increased my penmanship's overall size as a result. It's actually cool how I can use broader nibs now, haha.

 

Aaaand that's about all from me. I'll be posting a pic of my writing a bit later in this subforum, so feel free to check that out and critique if you're in the mood to be mean, haha XD


Kevin

[proton007]

Seriously, I'd be interested in seeing everyone's hand in action. I'm trying to improve just about everything: grip, letter formation, consistency, speed, rhythm, and style. A huge undertaking, I know, but I figure I have the rest of my life to work on it!

 

I spent the last 20 years at a keyboard, and when I had some time away from the computer I realized that my formerly neat handwriting had degraded into scribble. I'd like to at least get back to neat, but if I can get beyond that it would be icing on the cake.

 

I just got a fountain pen, and right now I'm working on loosening my grip. I've succeeded in no longer pressing so hard into the paper (a la ballpoint style) but I still have some work to do. Some days I'm successful and the pen practically floats in my hand but other days I can feel the pressure as my pen digs into my 3rd finger (in a tripod grip). It is, as I said, a work in progress. But I find the handwriting shown in the penmanship section to be truly inspiring!

 

Have you taken a look online? Youtube has tons of calligraphy videos, you can quite easily figure out the way the pen is being held and written with.

[HDoug]

Actually, I've been meaning to video myself writing so I might be able to learn something about my writing my normal hand. I'll post if I get around to it. And like you, I'm interested in seeing others post too. We're talking about ones normal everyday writing, right?

 

Doug

[eaccents]

Well, here's what advice I can offer as someone who started getting into fountain pens just over a year and a half ago, and who has intermittently been working on improving his penmanship:

 

An orthodox tripod grip is really easy to learn and maintain, given enough practice (or are you a lefty?); so I recommend trying that out to see if it suits your style. Also, it's not only important to avoid pressing hard into paper, but also to avoid gripping the pen too hard. Learning to hold a pen lightly allows for less hand fatigue when writing, which makes long sessions quite pleasurable, as opposed to torturous on the digital muscles and the carpals. Proper posture also helps. I'm a sloucher by habit, and Ican tell you from firsthand experience that my back kills me when I forget to keep it straight when writing long journal entries and whatnot. I've only just recently started working on it again, but my being myopic makes writing with my back straight something of a pain in the eyes, so...

 

Lastly, pick a pen that has good balance with your hand. I personally really like full-size pens despite my none too large hands (probably because they're muscular enough to support slightly top-heavy weight), and am also a fan of medium nibs for my slightly tall handwriting. The Sailor Naginata nib, I tried really hard to like despite its being too broad for my regular writing before, and inadvertently increased my penmanship's overall size as a result. It's actually cool how I can use broader nibs now, haha.

 

Aaaand that's about all from me. I'll be posting a pic of my writing a bit later in this subforum, so feel free to check that out and critique if you're in the mood to be mean, haha XD

 

 

Kevin

 

Thanks, Kevin.

 

I'm a righty, and thanks for reminding me that how we sit makes a difference too. I've studied pictures and videos of tripod grips, and it seems that I've got my fingers in the correct position but that I'm still gripping the pen harder than I should. Still working on that before I move to the next topic of improvement.

 

I have smaller hands, so the Pilot Prera fits me pretty well--even without posting. Additionally, it is lightweight which should help with fatigue should I endeavor to write a lot

 

Looking forward to a post of your writing.

 

Many thanks for the advice!

[eaccents]

 

Have you taken a look online? Youtube has tons of calligraphy videos, you can quite easily figure out the way the pen is being held and written with.

 

Yes, and I think I've exhausted what I've found on Youtube. I think that I've watched a gazillion videos by searching "handwriting," "penmanship," "cursive italic," "calligraphy," "neat writing," etc.

 

My favorites are by professional calligraphers/letterers who show you how they form their letters.

[eaccents]

Actually, I've been meaning to video myself writing so I might be able to learn something about my writing my normal hand. I'll post if I get around to it. And like you, I'm interested in seeing others post too. We're talking about ones normal everyday writing, right?

 

Doug

 

From what I've seen of the pics of your journal writing, I have to say that I *love* your handwriting! It is consistent, neat, full of character, and simply pleasing to the eye. I greatly look forward to any video that you could post showing your hand.

 

I tend to lean more towards connected print than cursive, so your hand really exemplifies what I'd love to achieve.

[eaccents]

And, yes, @HDoug: I'm talking about everyday handwriting!

 

Calligraphy is truly beautiful and I envy the artistic talent required to produce it, but I'm hoping to just have really nice everyday handwriting someday....

[proton007]

 

Yes, and I think I've exhausted what I've found on Youtube. I think that I've watched a gazillion videos by searching "handwriting," "penmanship," "cursive italic," "calligraphy," "neat writing," etc.

 

My favorites are by professional calligraphers/letterers who show you how they form their letters.

 

 

If you wish to improve your pen-hold and overall handwriting, you'll have to consciously remind yourself these points each time you write:

 

-- The tripod grip can sufficiently hold a pen with minimal force. It's the principle of a 3 point hold. Three points are enough to hold a metal piece in a turning lathe, this is just a pen .

 

-- The fingers don't move, the arm does, from the shoulder. The pen is merely an extension of your arm. The arm does the writing, the pen just lays down the ink.

 

-- Form gets higher priority than speed. It's no use writing fast if the writing cannot be understood. The letters are 'formed' on paper, only then can writing emerge.

 

-- Get in the rhythm. A rhythmic movement is neither slow nor fast, it's 'in flow'.

 

 

The points may sound a bit 'Zen', but that's what is fascinating about the world of art in general. Handwriting is an art too.

Edited July 3, 2014 by proton007

[Lyander0012]

Haha, I updated the thread I started not too long after joining the FPN, here: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/232399-handwriting-sample/

 

You'll have to scroll down a bit, since I've been updating it intermittently. The newest post is dated yesterday, I think. Hope the handwriting doesn't offend


Kevin

[HDoug]

I don't know if this is OT but here a video comprised of excerpts from an old Sheaffer promotional film called, "26 Old Characters," I think. I excerpted all scenes where there was a hand writing starting from the child's hand at the beginning...

 

 

Doug

[eaccents]

 

 

If you wish to improve your pen-hold and overall handwriting, you'll have to consciously remind yourself these points each time you write:

 

-- The tripod grip can sufficiently hold a pen with minimal force. It's the principle of a 3 point hold. Three points are enough to hold a metal piece in a turning lathe, this is just a pen .

 

-- The fingers don't move, the arm does, from the shoulder. The pen is merely an extension of your arm. The arm does the writing, the pen just lays down the ink.

 

-- Form gets higher priority than speed. It's no use writing fast if the writing cannot be understood. The letters are 'formed' on paper, only then can writing emerge.

 

-- Get in the rhythm. A rhythmic movement is neither slow nor fast, it's 'in flow'.

 

 

The points may sound a bit 'Zen', but that's what is fascinating about the world of art in general. Handwriting is an art too.

 

Thank you. Nothing wrong with Zen, and while I thought I had read everything on tripod grip on the internet, for some reason (maybe re-reading and finally really absorbing the advice that you gave?) I think I may have made a breakthrough on loosening my grip today!

[eaccents]

I don't know if this is OT but here a video comprised of excerpts from an old Sheaffer promotional film called, "26 Old Characters," I think. I excerpted all scenes where there was a hand writing starting from the child's hand at the beginning...

 

 

Doug

 

HDoug: I have seen the video in its entirety as well as watched your edited version (I follow you on Youtube!) and it is a wonderful source of information as well as good visual affirmation of some of the advice that I read. Thank you for reminding me about it--I think that I'm going to watch them both again

[eaccents]

Haha, I updated the thread I started not too long after joining the FPN, here: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/232399-handwriting-sample/

 

You'll have to scroll down a bit, since I've been updating it intermittently. The newest post is dated yesterday, I think. Hope the handwriting doesn't offend

 

 

Kevin

 

I think that your July 2 sample looks very nice! ... and that thread is chock full of some really insightful comments too!

[GClef]

[eaccents]

 

Nice tan!

 

Thank you soooooo much! Beautiful, inspiring, and very helpful! Your letters are incredibly consistent in shape and size, and I now see what "rhythm" means

 

May I ask if you can use your smartphone to show us your tripod hold from say the 10:00 or 11:00 position (assuming your hand is in the middle of the clock face)? The view from above your hand doesn't really reveal that detail....

 

Again, thank you!!!

[Finalist]

I'm not sure I completely understand the idea of only moving your arm rather than your fingers. I imagine the idea is to not move your fingers at all and instead the characters are drawn by moving your whole arm, but I've yet to see that demonstrated. I always see the fingers move to draw each character and the arm moves after every few characters or after each word is complete. Am I taking it too literally, and the reality is the fingers will always move a little?

[eaccents]

 

Nice tan!

 

Thank you soooooo much! Beautiful, inspiring, and very helpful! Your letters are incredibly consistent in shape and size, and I now see what "rhythm" means

 

May I ask if you can use your smartphone to show us your tripod hold from say the 10:00 or 11:00 position (assuming your hand is in the middle of the clock face)? The view from above your hand doesn't really reveal that detail....

 

Again, thank you!!!

 

Nevermind, I found this great video that shows your hand from a different angle

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNYm1REJjzM

Edited July 4, 2014 by eaccents