Jaki Svaren's Italic Letters

[dms525]

I was in Portland, OR last week for some alumni activities at Reed College, and I was able to attend the Thursday evening Scriptorium.

 

 

 

Jaki Svaren, a professional calligrapher, author of Written Letters: 33 Alphabets for Calligraphers and a student of Lloyd Reynolds at Reed in the '50's.

 

Jaki usually attends the weekly Scriptorium and has been of great help, coaching Greg MacNaughton who actually does the teaching. I captured some copies of a handout Jaki had provided for the attendees with her version of italic minuscule ductus and numerous instructive notes on each letter. I got her permission to upload them to FPN. I hope you find them helpful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy writing!

 

David

 

P.S. The handout refers to 22 alphabets. The current expanded & revised edition has 33 alphabets.

[hughdrbf]

David, thank you for sharing your amazing opportunty to be "there"! And, as well, the images. This is truly something fantastic.

 

Hugh

[Randal6393]

Remember Mrs. Svaren's books well. Would highly recommend that anyone studying beyond basic italic and copperplate get her book. The pages are full of the ductus for each of the alphabets she shows. A great help to the student.

 

Enjoy,

[ehemem]

Remember Mrs. Svaren's books well. Would highly recommend that anyone studying beyond basic italic and copperplate get her book. The pages are full of the ductus for each of the alphabets she shows. A great help to the student.

 

Enjoy,

 

Yep, I have the original edition of the book and wasn't aware that there were updates. I'll have to look around.

 

Thank you, David!

[77kath]

Thanks for this!

[inkstainedruth]

I think that I have one of her books kicking around the house from when I was a sophomore in college and taking calligraphy.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Randal6393]

I think that I have one of her books kicking around the house from when I was a sophomore in college and taking calligraphy.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

Well, Ruth, dig it out and say "Hi" to an old friend or two.

 

Enjoy,

[Tasmith]

Thanks!

[BookCat]

Thanks. I cheat and write italic with a flex pen! But I love the letter forms.

[patrickfp]

Wonderful. I just wish I could get my hands on a copy of her book. The instructions are great. I like how I can pick up one thing or two to incorporate into my own italic version from every book on italic. The bulk of what I know in italic comes from Italic Handwriting by Tom Gourdie. My M is from Barbara Calzolari. My t is from Lloyd Reynolds. I am sure I have picked up a thing or two frm the pictures. Thanks for sharing.

[fiberdrunk]

How neat! I love her calligraphy book. I think it's the only one out there that printed the models the actual size that they were written (and gave what size nib she used). That's invaluable, I think. Wonderful syles and models, too.

[dms525]

Update on Jaki's "Written Letters:" This past weekend, I was told by the Director of the Cooley Gallery of Reed College that the publisher of Jaki's book went under some time ago. The copyright reverted to her. Reed College is working with Jaki to find a new publisher. There is hope that a new edition, or at least a new printing, will be forthcoming. Happy news!

 

David

[dragos.mocanu]

That is fantastic news David, please keep us posted regarding this subject.

 

Cheers!

Edited January 5, 2016 by Murky

[LeonW]

Thanks for the posting. My thanks to Jaki for her generosity.