Nice work, again - I particularly like the green in the first example. I must try to use colour in handwriting a bit more - it's most effective.
Isn't that the Gibson logo? Do you play the guitar, as well?

Thanks, caliken Yes, that’s my first attempt at reproducing the Gibson logo. Not successfully, I might add I was intrigued by how the broad italic G reminded me of it, so I gave it a shot.

It has been ages since I touched one, but yes, I do play the guitar. My favourite genres range from classical and flamenco to death metal. Not a fan of grunge or nu-metal, though. Technicial proficiency with heart and soul is what I hold most dear.

Tournevis, I like your handwriting and it seems similar to that of every French person I know. It is interesting seeing multiple results of the same handwriting curriculum and how they are similar yet different. If I had a scanner I would post a sample of three different people's handwriting (two teen or 20someting girls and their mum) and how it is similar yet different.

I generally use a freeform italic cursive handwriting style - it all depends on my level of self-discipline. My general hand-printing is pretty hard to read and quickly degenerates into a senseless scribble. So, for the past few months, I've been committed to using italic cursive all the time. The problem is that I also need speed, portability and (heaven help me) a bit of class. For the latter, I can use all the help I can get.

My favorite nib is a .7 mm Binderized cursive italic in a Pelikan M200. We understand each other, this nib and I. But she's just a tad too slow when I'm doing interviews ... perfect for journaling or letter writing.

I just got (as in today) a stub italic nib for my Namiki VP - but we haven't made our peace with each other yet. The fact that the nib is wetter than I'm used to and that Noodler's Hunter Green did a strange feathering thing on the page, made the line correspondingly fatter than the actual width of the tip. In turn, this forced me to write larger than I normally would. All in all, not a happy experience. I'm trying to be very zen about the whole thing since it usually takes me a good week to get used to a new nib. But I am worried that I've purchased the wrong nib. <sigh>

In my spare time I'm working on Round Hand and English Secretary Hand. The latter is difficult but makes it almost impossible for modern readers to read my notes.

What do you call this, Kate? (I can think of a few words!) I learned cursive at school/home but didn't like the look of it, so, in my 20s, tried to adapt to a more italic style, and ended-up with....?
I am currently using a fine-nibbed G-P Targa, but think I'd do better with a Medium....as I've said elsewhere, Richard B is making me a cursive italic 0.6mm, which I hope will improve things a bit, in a fatter, heavier pen.
And as this is the first FP writing I've done for 20+ yrs, I hope a bit of practice will help, too!

Here's my writing.

Click to view attachment

Actually, I meant to say, "here's my writing, what weird psychological insights does it betray?"

Although I was taught graphology 30+ years ago, I have, over the years, become increasingly sceptical about its having any real validity...it's just a bit of fun, and sometimes one gets it surpringly 'right'!

I once got dismissed by a faculty supervisor who had bizarre penmanship. We know a friend of a friend who does professional graphology, so we got her to get a handwriting reading on the guy. The situation was, roughly, that as a graduate supervisor he was extremely unsupportive and didn't actually do any of the work required of him, to the point that (I was surprised to learn) he never actually READ my doctoral dissertation. So, in an effort to find out ANYTHING I could that might help me get the degree, we resorted to many experts, including a graphologist. This friend of friend informed us the case was hopeless. And indeed it was.

That's the extent to which my understanding of graphology might go. I was hoping someone might tell me that, as a born leader, I was destined to rule a colony of nubile and scantily clad porn vixens on my own private Mediterranean island. But that hasn't come yet to fruition, more's the pity.

Perhaps if I were to tell you what the writing of such a person might, theoretically, look like, you could start working on it and see what transpites..........

I'm a leftie and I've been working on chanchery italic script. I make it a point to use it for my everyday writing. This includes shopping lists. I'm working on my "a"s, "b"s, "m"s and "n"s.

Is there an ideal nib for lefties writing italics?

I'm using leftie nibs or OB at present. Mostly Pelikans.

Did you know that Ann Finley is left- handed?

Excuse me,I have a question kinda new at Fp's,What nib size and nib type do you use for spencerian script?

Go to www.iampeth.com On this site you'll find all you need to know about Spencerian lettering.

Great I'll write to her then. Thanks!

Most of the nibs that I use are not italic but are flexie or semi-flexie...I have a few lefty oblique nibs,but don't
use them as often as I should.I always write in cursive or print in a cursive fashion.

Cliff, I think your penmanship is lovely. It's clear, legible, and has very nice lines. I hope you don't take offense to me saying this, and the same goes for other southpaws on FPN, but I was surprised to find out you're left-handed. As a former teacher, all my experiences with left-handed writers has been that there is a certain angle/slant in the writing.

Again, please don't take offense.

I'm an old cop. Nearly all cops write in all cap block letters (so as to be legible on reports and to press through to numerous copies). I have tried to break myself of the habit, but I feel like I'm writing with my left hand when I do--or maybe even my left foot.

Oh well. We can't all be beautiful.

Heh, you're not alone there. I spent a long time in architecture school where a specific style of print was expected of everyone. Now I can only print in caps, and if I tried to write any other way you'd think a 5 year old did it.

- R

Reading that poll got me so bloody confused, I didn't vote.

I write with fine or medium round nibs, sometimes with flexible nibs and my style is school cursive, as I was taught back in the 1990s. My handwriting is influenced heavily by what I call "schoolteacher handwriting". It was this generic, plain cursive handwriting that nearly ALL MY TEACHERS wrote with and I tried to copy it when I was younger because I reckoned it was neat and easy to read and write.

I write with a non italic nib and in an hybrid of italic and conventional cursive writing.

I've only used non-italic nibs. My handwriting can only be described as "What the ...?"

As I've just commented elsewhere, people are usually their own severest critics regarding their handwriting....as long as it is reasonably legible (a basic requirement), the rest of it just gives it 'character'!

Gosh, it took me a long time to realize what each option actually means

I use a standard off the shelf medium nib that suites me just fine. I like to use the old Palmer method of handwriting, which has been ingrained into me by my parents. Ironically, when I was in primary school, we learned the Zanner-Blosser method of handwriting, but I really liked the "looped cursive" Palmer style much better.

Now if I could just start to master Spencerian style, I would be very happy.

my grip, choice of nib and style of handwriting change with my mood

I can use cursive, print or a natural mishmash between the two, sometimes tall, thin and upright other times round, fat and sloping. Sometimes its the pen that decides ( I reach for a pen and whatever turns out to be in my hand dictates the style) and sometimes I do (I feel a ceretain way so search for the pen to fit my mood)....

I am a spontaneous creature....

I voted "I use a non-Italic nib and conventional ("school") cursive", but I think I could've also chosen "I use a non-Italic nib and I "print" my writing".

My handwriting sometimes changes depending on my mood. It was 1983 or 1984 when I was in the 3rd Grade and I think we learned the Zaner Bloser method of penmanship. I've attached an example of my handwriting.

I have no idea what to answer.

My handwriting is "unique".

I prefer fine nibs, and just purchased a fine cursive italic nib from Mr Mottishaw for my white and tortoise pelikan which I have to say is fantastic to write with. What does that mean I should vote (wasn't sure, so haven't voted).

This is most attractive, accomplished handwriting in the American style. IMO it makes a refreshing alternative to the ubiquitous italic!
caliken

I use a non-italic nib but I write whatever i want to. Usually that's either print or a mix of school cursive and italic.

Re:



You probably fall under "I fit none of the above descriptions."

I thought I had posted my samples in this thread. I guess not. Anyway, this is the answer that applies to me: I use a non-Italic nib and the Italic writing style. My normal handwriting is posted at the bottom of this post. I have used ballpoints for years and I'm only just now returning to fountain pens and not finding it as easy as I remember.

When I decided I wanted to get serious with the hobby of Calligraphy, I wrote to Kate asking her to critique my writing since it is based on Italic Hand and what I usually do if asked to write something in Calligraphy is change the tip of the pen I'm using and write in my normal writing. So I wanted to know what changes I need to make in my handwriting to approximate the Italic Hand. She noticed that my caps were usually too big and my minuscule f was shorter than the other ascenders in my formal Italics and so made a few suggestions. So below was my first demo to her and then after that my "improvement" trying to adopt her suggestions. Finally my writing at my most comfortable (on the yellow sheet). I also throw in my first VERY SLOW attempt at writing with a fountain pen but taking care to form my letters as best as I could:

Before Kate's Corrections--Formal Italic (Sept 29, 2008); Pen used: Calligraphy Markers by Zig Memory Systems 2.0mm, black


After adopting Kate's Suggestions--Formal Italic (Oct 6); Pen used: Calligraphy Markers by Zig Memory Systems 2.0mm, green


My normal handwriting at my most comfortable and a pretty good pace (Oct 6):


Re-visiting fountain pens--written very slowly; felt very awkward writing with a fountain pen after almost 23 years! (Oct 10)


ETA: I forgot to mention that the second from last sample was written with a RSVP Ballpoint Fine Pen (blue).

aNONIEmous :

These are three, very attractive, different aspects of italic writing. I, personally particularly like the clarity and lightness of the last, monoline example. Thanks for posting.

caliken

Thanks for the feedback, Caliken.

Mine's a mix of printing and cursive styles, probably best seen in the T and such.

Use a Waterman 94 to get as much variation as I can. I'm trying to come up with an "Art Nouveau" looking style, so I guess mine's a combination of round nib with combination of cursive & Capital letters inspired by Mucha. Think I went for the "other" category.

--Bruce