Handwriting Critique

[the_classicist]

Hello all, I've been (admittedly) lurking for quite some time, and I believe I have decided to take the plunge into truly improving my handwriting. I have attached a file to show the notes taken during a lecture on Amicitia, my capstone class in school. I haven't decided a style that I wish to pursue, as both italic and monoline Spencerian strike my fancy. Any tips on how to pursue this new change? Should I make a switch and just start writing everything in a new script, or should I keep printing until my "new" handwriting becomes useful at speed?

[caliken]

At the moment, you're writing upright (no slope) without loops on ascenders. It's also very neat. I believe that changing to Italic would be fairly straightforward for you. Remember, Italic handwriting doesn't have to slope. You don't have to use an edged nib at first. The pen you used in your example will be fine, as you get used to the change of letter shapes. Monoline Italic is quite acceptable and you'll be able to move onto using the edged nib later, without much difficulty.

 

As you learn, it should be very simple to gradually incorporate your new hand into the current style. As you practice, this will happen naturally.

 

Ken

Edited September 6, 2014 by Ken Fraser

[the_classicist]

At the moment, you're writing upright (no slope) without loops on ascenders. It's also very neat. I believe that changing to Italic would be fairly straightforward for you. Remember, Italic handwriting doesn't have to slope. You don't have to use an edged nib at first. The pen you used in your example will be fine, as you get used to the change of letter shapes. Monoline Italic is quite acceptable and you'll be able to move onto using the edged nib later, without much difficulty.

 

As you learn, it should be very simple to gradually incorporate your new hand into the current style. As you practice, this will happen naturally.

 

Ken

Thank you kindly for your reply, from the legendary Caliken no less! The pen used was a Lamy CP-1, and an EF nib. Italic does seem the natural choice considering my writing style. I've ordered some Clairfontaine notebooks, I suppose it's time to start practicing, I've noticed a few "how to..." topics here so I'll start there.

Edited September 6, 2014 by the_classicist

[Randal6393]

It is also inexpensive and fairly easy to purchase a Lamy 1.1 mm nib for the CP-1. Though how you cope with the thin body of the pen, I'll never know. (My favorite is a Noodler Ahab, so ...)

 

Enjoy,

[the_classicist]

It is also inexpensive and fairly easy to purchase a Lamy 1.1 mm nib for the CP-1. Though how you cope with the thin body of the pen, I'll never know. (My favorite is a Noodler Ahab, so ...)

 

Enjoy,

Yes, I bought it mostly for its unobtrusiveness, it is quite thin indeed. I also have a TWSBI 580, which is much thicker and easier to write with for longer periods, and I am more than likely going to be buying italic nibs for each of them.

[BookCat]

Your print is very neat and well laid out. Italic or Palmer handwriting would be fine, the latter may be faster to write than the former which would be useful during lectures. You'd adapt to either fairly easily because your starting point is so good.