Qotw - 2017

[dms525]

My first attempts at writing out this quote were also in Uncial. I might as well post one of them. Uncial seemed most appropriate, since it kind of derived from Greek, as I understand the history of that script. Anyway ....

 

 

 

David

[inkstainedruth]

Don't see anything wrong with this attempt. Looks nice, the letters are well-formed and well-crafted. A bit more fluidity would be nice but that comes with practice -- a lot of practice.

 

Enjoy,

 

I think the only real problems are that, like Randal said, a bit more fluidity is needed (the letters look stiff, as if you were drawing them, rather than writing them) and that you need more practice with the kerning, i.e., the spacing between letters (which shouldn't actually be uniform -- it will look more natural if there is more spacing between two straight letters, and less between two rounded, with straight and rounded letters next to each other being somewhere in between.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[OmegaMountain]

Thank you for the suggestions, Ruth and Randal. I actually do draw some and have a stiff hand because of it. It looks a lot worse in that larger photo when I look at it on the computer vs. on the paper itself or on my cell phone. I will try this at least one more time.

[inkstainedruth]

Remember that different calligraphic hands will have different x-heights, and different heights/depths for ascenders and descenders. A good way to figure out the proper x-height for a specific hand is to make little tick marks up from your base line, using whatever pen/nib you're holding:

x

x

x

x

x____________________________

(where each "x" is one mark of your pen's nib width, and the line is your base rule line). The spacing between lines is of course is going to vary, not only by what the x-height for the particular hand, but also by what nib you're using (the rule lines for an broad Italic nib are going to be farther apart than if you're using an OF nib, and your letters will consequently be larger).

When I took a calligraphy class in college, and we got to Italic, the assignment was to do a map, with smaller text for the locations on the map and larger for the header (in this case, since we were using Speedball dip pens, a C6 nib and a C0 nib, respectively).

I've only marked a random x-height here, BTW -- not including the the ascenders and descenders, and only for one line's worth of writing.

Hope this helps.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[ksm]

Today it's just my handwriting. The thing is, I'm pretty satisfied with its visual side if I'm using Cursive Italic or Stub nib, but the same hand executed with monoline pen appears to me as totally inadequate.

 

 

edit: spelling

Edited March 3, 2017 by ksm

[OmegaMountain]

Remember that different calligraphic hands will have different x-heights, and different heights/depths for ascenders and descenders. A good way to figure out the proper x-height for a specific hand is to make little tick marks up from your base line, using whatever pen/nib you're holding:

x

x

x

x

x____________________________

(where each "x" is one mark of your pen's nib width, and the line is your base rule line). The spacing between lines is of course is going to vary, not only by what the x-height for the particular hand, but also by what nib you're using (the rule lines for an broad Italic nib are going to be farther apart than if you're using an OF nib, and your letters will consequently be larger).

When I took a calligraphy class in college, and we got to Italic, the assignment was to do a map, with smaller text for the locations on the map and larger for the header (in this case, since we were using Speedball dip pens, a C6 nib and a C0 nib, respectively).

I've only marked a random x-height here, BTW -- not including the the ascenders and descenders, and only for one line's worth of writing.

Hope this helps.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

I actually have guide lines printed up to ghost sheet on my Tomoe River pad, but I didn't have it with me since the Rhodia pad is a little more portable! I'll try it again on Tomoe River and see how it goes.

[Randal6393]

 

Am going back and adding all the quotes of the week. Need the practice at uploading photoes to the board.

 

Enjoy,

[smk]

I was originally thinking of doing this in the Caronligian hand but somehow ended up with this whimsical script in pointed pen. It can use some refinement but I like the way it looks.

 

Nib: Vintage Gillot's 404 in a straight holder

Ink: Noodler's Black + Water (adding water makes this ink very good for pointed pen use)

Paper: Copy paper from the Dollar Store

 

 

- Salman

[dms525]

I was originally thinking of doing this in the Caronligian hand but somehow ended up with this whimsical script in pointed pen. It can use some refinement but I like the way it looks.

 

Nib: Vintage Gillot's 404 in a straight holder

Ink: Noodler's Black + Water (adding water makes this ink very good for pointed pen use)

Paper: Copy paper from the Dollar Store

 

 

- Salman

 

Charming! Is that a script of your own design? I wouldn't have thought that versal initial N would go with such a whimsical (good descriptor!) hand, but it certainly does work.

 

David

[smk]

 

Charming! Is that a script of your own design? I wouldn't have thought that versal initial N would go with such a whimsical (good descriptor!) hand, but it certainly does work.

 

David

 

It started with the 'n' that kind of 'happened' while I was just playing around. I then took inspiration from an even more whimsical hand I had seen in one of the compendiums of penmanship and came up with this style that is not quite as 'out there'.

 

I like the 'a' but am not sure about the ending of the 't' and the 'l' along with the 's' that might cause problems in some words.

 

- Salman

[dms525]

 

It started with the 'n' that kind of 'happened' while I was just playing around. I then took inspiration from an even more whimsical hand I had seen in one of the compendiums of penmanship and came up with this style that is not quite as 'out there'.

 

I like the 'a' but am not sure about the ending of the 't' and the 'l' along with the 's' that might cause problems in some words.

 

- Salman

 

Hmmmm ... What if you did the exit serif of the "t" and i" to match those of the "u," "d," etc.? The minuscule "s" ... I don't know. It needs something. I find the "s" in different hands one of the most challenging letters. It doesn't fit in any of the "families."

 

David

[smk]

I had the same idea David :-) I tried out the flat ending of the 't's in the double-t in 'attempted' but it looks too stark compared to the rest of the writing. I need to play with it some more I think.

 

S.

[da vinci]

http://i1022.photobucket.com/albums/af344/996nick2009/Fountain%20Pens/image_zpszvcjfflm.jpeg

 

I tired this week's quote with a new pen, my first true venture into the world of vintage user pens. It is. 1930's Parker Vacumatic azure, with what appears to be an italic nib, although I think it maybe a customisation gone wrong. I find the nib very scratchy on horizontal strokes, which meant this is not the best example of my handwriting. The nib definitely has potential though!

[Randal6393]

Well, da vinci, that nib has promise but definitely needs a bit of work. Properly formed, looks as if the flow will be lightened and the ink confined to where it should be.

 

Best of luck,

[Randal6393]

For the next week, a quote that is a bit lengthy but reflects the times we are in:

 

 

You can better succeed with the ballot. You can peaceably then redeem the government and preserve the liberties of mankind through your votes and voice and moral influence … let there be peace. Revolutionize through the ballot box and restore the government once more to the affections and hearts of men by making it express, as it was intended to do, the highest spirit of justice and liberty.

 

– Abraham Lincoln, speech to the Springfield abolitionists, 1855

[bobje]

 

Brause blue pumpkin nib, Chesterfield antique oxford ink

 

 

[dms525]

 

Brause blue pumpkin nib, Chesterfield antique oxford ink

 

 

 

Lovely writing, Bob!

 

David

[drv1913]

Better late than never:

 

FPN QOTW #8 by Dawn, on Flickr

 

I have Roman letters on the brain as I procrastinate from doing my real calligraphy homework.

 

Speedball C-3

Levenger Raven Black

[drv1913]

I was originally thinking of doing this in the Caronligian hand but somehow ended up with this whimsical script in pointed pen. It can use some refinement but I like the way it looks.

 

Nib: Vintage Gillot's 404 in a straight holder

Ink: Noodler's Black + Water (adding water makes this ink very good for pointed pen use)

Paper: Copy paper from the Dollar Store

 

 

- Salman

I really like this lettering!

[inkstainedruth]

Running behind from last week, so now playing catch-up....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth