Penmanship & Calligraphy

Discussion in 'Geek Cave: Computers, Tablets, HT, Phones, Games' started by Lyander, Oct 17, 2017.

  1. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Did a cursory search, nothing turned up, feel free to lambaste if I just missed it :p

    Anyway, this has been one of my passions since I was in primary school. It was only after I got into fountain pens (about Q3 2011?) that I really started working on making my writing look visually pleasing instead of merely legible, though.

    Top to bottom, my "nice" monoline, "messy" brush (for a proposal, haha, and she did say yes), my attempt at Engrosser's Script, and freehand shaded writing using gold sumi ink.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    My normal writing (i.e. the hand I use for notes and the like) is a lot less pretty, but I'll probably end up posting a writing sample sooner or later, if this thread takes off, haha.


    Cheers!

    Kevin
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2017
  2. monacelli

    monacelli Friend

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  3. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Thanks @monacelli! Posting there was my first impulse, but after thinking it over for a while I decided there's a distinct enough difference between collecting writing implements and calligraphy to warrant a new thread. That'd be the pen geek in me arguing semantics of course :))

    I'd be happy to relocate if people decide this thread is unnecessary, but I'm sticking to my guns for now.

    Cheers!
     
  4. Daveheart

    Daveheart Friend

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    I don't really care whether it's in a different thread or not, but I do care that I can't see whatever pictures you've posted. All I'm seeing is [​IMG]
     
  5. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Crud. Thanks @Daveheart! I'll get on fixing that once I'm home (currently in transit).

    Edit: Eh, screw it, I can handle carsickness. Used a third party host, hope all's well now?
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2017
  6. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    Nice work. I went to a pretty archaic grade school and learned cursive italics (complete with ink pens) instead of normal cursive. I have done the odd invitation or poem for a sweetheart for others in the past, but now, I struggle just keeping things legible for myself.
     
  7. Daveheart

    Daveheart Friend

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    Yep, it's all showing up now. Looks good!
     
  8. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    I know the feeling, @fraggler. A lot of these are from 2016, since I've not had the time or motivation to take on commissions for pocket change lately. It's not that hard finding clients, but clients who pay are another thing entirely :p

    Also, think I might have been among the last kids who had mandatory penmanship classes in the curriculum. Still had them up to 3rd grade or so, I think. Now I'm pretty sure most kids nowadays can barely get by with print. Ahh, how times have changed.

    Thanks, @Daveheart! Still not sure why Google Photos is such a pain to with, but I guess I might as well get used to third party stuff.
     
  9. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Nice! I like watching videos of the process too. They write much slower then I thought
     
  10. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    I like nice fountain pens but my handwriting is absolute garbage, and especially with math, I ignore the lines on the paper.
    IMG_20171018_115443.jpg IMG_20171018_115428.jpg
     
  11. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    That's due in part to the three-dimensionality of the writing, at least as far as flex nibs are concerned. Line width is dependent on the amount of downwards pressure applied to the nib, and applying any amount of pressure during lateral movements risks snapping a tine off (I've had it happen to me once before, back when I was new— pretty devastating since each of those tiny metal bits costs $2 or more). Also, the shape of the shades (thicker lines) vary depending on which style of pointed pen calligraphy you're going for.

    As for italics, I imagine they pace themselves because it's too easy to ruin a hairline if you rotate the nibs and all. They're less sensitive to pressure, but I imagine inkflow could be overwhelming if someone goes full Stabby McStabPaper. Not much experience with formal italic hands even though I started out with them, transitioned to flex fairly quickly.

    Tried DIYing a quill once. Suffice to say I'll stick with more "modern" implements :p
     
  12. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    @spwath I'l admit I'm curious to see how you write. I disregard lines fairly often too (mostly because my daily hand is pretty sharp and eats up a lot of vertical space), but I somehow developed the habit of writing in straight lines even on unmarked paper, so I almost actively have to force deviation from base.

    BTW, Diamine Oxblood?
     
  13. spwath

    spwath Hijinks master cum laudle

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    Yeah, I write really weird too. Ill made a video at some point. But essentially, I start some letters always from the top, some always from the bottom, and some I start top or bottom, depending on where the last letter left off.

    I also don't tend to move my hand until I really need to. Not really sure how I got into this weird habbit.

    I am using Waterman Absolute Brown.
     
  14. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Wow, that's a really rich brown. Current fave ink in that part of the colour gamut is Diamine Dark Brown, but I might try snag a bottle of the Waterman too! Not sure where I can get that locally, but eh.

    Hm, if you've the time, maybe freehand exercises can help. Basically trains you to stop using the meaty bit under your pinky as an "anchor" and help you glide across the page. Useful for large writing and for long words in cursive, if you ever decide to pick it up!
     
  15. GoodEnoughGear

    GoodEnoughGear Evil Dr. Shultz‎

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    I did a fair amount of calligraphy in my youth, but it's been years since I took out my pens. Thanks for this thread!

    As a matter of interest, is anyone getting any joy doing this digitally? Tablet and Stylus style? I know it's probably heresy, but I'm curious.
     
  16. Lyander

    Lyander Official SBAF Equitable Empathizer

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    Agh, just saw this.

    @GoodEnoughGear, no time like the present to give it a shot again! I find art of any form helps me unwind after a rough day, calligraphy moreso than other forms because there's a trance-like element of uniformity to it at times. Would love to see your work!
     

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