Advice On Improving My Cursive Handwriting.

[Duffy]

Two or three months ago, with my newfound discovery of fountain pens, I decided to use my new hobby to improve my handwriting. I have practiced for about an hour and a half every day, to the point where I am reasonably happy with my writing when using guide paper. 

 

However, writing a little smaller on ordinary lined paper my writing (while not bad) is best described as a little shaky and uneven. I suppose it is like taking the training wheels off of a child's bicycle and I assume if I persevere and keep practicing, this will improve. 

 

One more thing....when writing a letter to friends, if using regular lined paper, do you skip a line each time? If this is not done, I often find that a downward loop from a top line can get "entangled" in an upward one from the line underneath.

 

Thanks in advance. 

[arcfide]

For letter writing, I wouldn't be afraid of creating some extra space to allow your ascenders and descenders to breath, if you find that to be more aesthetically pleasing. 

 

When working to write at different sizes, without the muscle training, you'll definitely have some adjustment periods, and it will take more practice. Assuming that you focus on good structure and motion in your writing, then your practice will undoubtedly pay off! 

[Karmachanic]

Improve Your Hand-Writing by Sasoon and Briem

[Duffy]

@arcfide:  Thanks. I am due to reply to a pen friend shortly. I will take your advice and leave some space.

 

Re: Writing in different sizes: That's reassuring. I will continue with my practice.

 

@Karmachanic :   🙏   Will check out that book. I have just finished the book linked below. At this stage I think it is more a case of applying/practicing what I have already learned.  

 

https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Art-Handwriting-Rediscover-Penmanship/dp/1507209363

 

[kealani]

Sull's "American Cursive" handwriting system loose for binder, daily worksheets, etc.

Available Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982868219/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Make copies if needed for worksheets. Daily practice using each step by step in this learning system. I used it to "clean up" my ancient "Palmer Business Script". 

[txomsy]

Each of us has a different character, and by extension different ways to learn and express. What is great advice for some may be terrible for others. A great example is the two main traditions of teaching handwriting: the emulation (copy books) and the descriptive (step by step) methods.

 

I think that before getting a book it is good to have a look at various online versions and get a feeling, or look at reviews and discussions, so you may decide if the book is for you or not. Better, if you can, to go to a bookstore and browse them.

 

Personally, for me, the most important is interiorizing the letter shapes and rhythms. Letter shapes (and again, there are many, no need to obfuscate with "the one true writing", just pick from here and there the ones you like) are fixed by seeing a reference and trying to reproduce it. Rhythms develop unconsciously by training.

 

I have read many a book and each "master" has their own recipes. I guess that is what the late true masters referred to when they said there was no need to teach children "one" rigid method and it was better to let each child find which "rhythm", ductus, strokes worked best for them, and develop their own method. Then came later generations of "pseudo-masters" who took it as meaning no method, script or style needed be taught at all (which makes for an easier life for teachers), and from there that no handwriting was needed (even easier), and then that computers had superseded handwriting.

 

Wouldn't be so bad if it weren't because kids now do not even know how to type or even finger-type at phones. Which is what you get when you teach no effort should ever be needed.

 

So, if you do not want to go down that slippery slope, the solution is easy: just practice. Do not obfuscate thinking there is "one true way" to write, just enjoy it and try to make it look good. Picture letter forms in your head and let your hand try them. Beauty of human brain is it adapts unconsciously and quickly to the goal set. You only need to let your hands improve by themselves. Do not get obsessed, if leaving empty rows works for you, do. If it looks bad when you reduce size, relax, know it is normal and keep on until your hand adapts again. If ascenders and descenders mix, see if you can profit from that to make it look nicer, or if not, see if you can reduce them. Whatever makes you happy and makes your results rewarding will keep you engaged and will make you improve effortlessly.

 

As an illustration: if you ask, even the greatest calligraphers will tell you that, before starting daily work it is advisable to "warm up" the hands first. No need to expect perfection from scratch, just let your hand warm up to the task. As you try the warm up period will be shorter. But rarely ever disappear.

 

P.S.: Maybe you will want to post an image of your handwriting for specific advice.

[Duffy]

@kealani and @txomsy

 

Thank you both for your recent replies. txomsy, that is excellent advice and I will take it on board. I love the concept of ..."no one true way..."

 

I am still practicing daily. Below is an example of my recent efforts. As you can see, I have still a bit of work to do. I don't mind, as I am enjoying the learning curve. At present I am trying to maintain a constant slant and also trying to be aware of the spaces between the letters. I can see that the latter needs attention.

 

All comments and advice greatly accepted. Thanks.

[DrPlush]

30 minutes ago, Duffy said:

As you can see, I have still a bit of work to do.

I actually think your writing is already beautiful! But, as you mentioned feeling shaky and others have touched on muscle control, I will add that tension in your forearms (or shoulders even) can make a big difference. I see a physiotherapist for shoulder issues (and sometimes they do my arms too), and my writing is always so much nicer for the period after an appointment when my muscles are more relaxed — I think it’s really interesting (and a bit annoying)!

[Duffy]

23 minutes ago, DrPlush said:

I actually think your writing is already beautiful! But, as you mentioned feeling shaky and others have touched on muscle control, I will add that tension in your forearms (or shoulders even) can make a big difference. I see a physiotherapist for shoulder issues (and sometimes they do my arms too), and my writing is always so much nicer for the period after an appointment when my muscles are more relaxed — I think it’s really interesting (and a bit annoying)!

 

Thanks for your reply. Yes, "shaky" is indeed a problem. Some days I find that my writing is steady and flowing. Other days  it is more shaky and hesitant. I have recently taken to going for a brisk walk and doing some gentle stretches before I write. I also have a regular Thai massage, and like you, I find my writing less shaky and more relaxed afterwards. I suppose this, along with regular practice, is the.. "only show in town".  😉

[txomsy]

Why do you think Calligraphy was commonly practiced by Samurais as a form of Zen meditation?

 

I take Calligraphy as a way to relax. As many others I find that when I start I need some "warm up" as I release tensions until I get immersed and it starts flowing absent-mindedly.

 

As with any other kind of meditation it simply requires that you think of it as a way to relax (not as depending on prior relax) and some practice... well and some times, some quietude.

[kealani]

10 hours ago, Duffy said:

@kealani and @txomsy

 

Thank you both for your recent replies. txomsy, that is excellent advice and I will take it on board. I love the concept of ..."no one true way..."

 

I am still practicing daily. Below is an example of my recent efforts. As you can see, I have still a bit of work to do. I don't mind, as I am enjoying the learning curve. At present I am trying to maintain a constant slant and also trying to be aware of the spaces between the letters. I can see that the latter needs attention.

 

All comments and advice greatly accepted. Thanks.

Wow! That's really nice. Very easy to read and consistent in style. I wish my handwriting looked that good. Thanks for posting a picture of your handwriting.

[Duffy]

12 hours ago, kealani said:

Wow! That's really nice. Very easy to read and consistent in style. I wish my handwriting looked that good. Thanks for posting a picture of your handwriting.

 

Thanks for your  comment on my handwriting. Looking at my writing before I started on this learning journey, I can certainly see an improvement. However, I am not being complacent. I intend to keep chipping away at things I think need work. I am retired, so thankfully have the time to spare.

 

As @txomsy said...I find it very relaxing.  Also, being on this forum inspires me to keep going.

 

Thanks again to all who contributed their input.

[Duffy]

Hi all. Just an update on today's writing practice. I can see a little more "maturity" in this sample compared to the one I posted back in October, though as always, room for improvement. While I have added a slight flourish to some of my capitals, I have not delved fully into the world of flourishing yet. That said, if/when I do, I want to use it sparingly.

 

Any advice/opinions on this sample welcome. Thanks.

[txomsy]

Nice!

[inkstainedruth]

On 10/2/2023 at 4:38 AM, Duffy said:

@kealani and @txomsy

 

Thank you both for your recent replies. txomsy, that is excellent advice and I will take it on board. I love the concept of ..."no one true way..."

 

I am still practicing daily. Below is an example of my recent efforts. As you can see, I have still a bit of work to do. I don't mind, as I am enjoying the learning curve. At present I am trying to maintain a constant slant and also trying to be aware of the spaces between the letters. I can see that the latter needs attention.

 

All comments and advice greatly accepted. Thanks.

Your handwriting is WAY better than mine....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[arcfide]

Looks really good. If I were to nitpick anything, i'd say that you could spend some time playing with and cleaning up the elegance of the capital letters, and maybe play with the proportions of the lowercase letters to put a little more character into them one way or another (bubbly, elegant, refined, masculine, aggressive, fast, precise, etc.). Other than that, I'd say you've got a good thing going. 

[Duffy]

@inkstainedruth: Thank you for your kind words.

 

 

@arcfide: Great advice. I have only recently moved from writing "safely" ( no frills) to experimenting with the capitals, which I agree need more work. I will also experiment with the lower case letters too. 

Thanks for your advice. 

[PhiloPlume]

On 10/2/2023 at 2:38 AM, Duffy said:

I am still practicing daily. Below is an example of my recent efforts. As you can see, I have still a bit of work to do. I

What?  I am not kidding when I say this that it looks quite a bit from Michael Sull's cursive book (that I have)!

[Duffy]

@PhiloPlume:  Thanks for your kind words. It is nice to get feedback (of any type) from "fresh eyes". 🙏

[PhiloPlume]

7 hours ago, Duffy said:

from "fresh eyes

LOL!   So true!