Good evening!

I have a nascent interest in penmanship and my handwriting says about the same. For some supernatural reason, I decided to study handwriting and write about it for my term paper. Specifically, I'm researching handwriting as an art form (visual and literary aesthetics) and have found enormous help in Lloyd Reynolds' work. Blessed to live in Oregon, I was able to spend a couple afternoons in Reed College's library archives perusing Reynolds' jotted notes-to-self as well as his formal works. I can't believe how excited I was to hold his notes in my hands - just a few weeks ago, I did not know his name! Out of curiosity, is there anyone here who took a class from him or one of his students?

For those cursed by poor handwriting instruction and overabundant technology, is there any hope of achieving lovely/legible handwriting? I'm passively refining my left-handed penmanship, but my writing devolves to a scrawl when taking class notes. Hopefully with time (or over the summer!) that will change. How long did it take you to acquire a "satisfactory" hand, or do you think such a time will ever come?

It's good to know that handwriting is still a living fire!

-Meredith

Hi Merideth,

I had the pleasure of taking a short class in italic writing taught by one of Professor Reynolds' students, Inga Dubay. I also own a calligraphy primer published by Reynolds and another by Inga and co-author, Barbara Getty. They're probably best known for the book Write Now!, which covers basic handwriting repair. Equally valuable is their book on Italic Handwriting.

My handwriting is pretty awful when I'm in a hurry. I've worked on improving intermittantly over the years. When I write frequently and am mindful of the basics (posture, speed, relaxed hand, shoulder writing), my handwriting is at least legible. Some people have even said they liked my handwriting, although I'm sure they didn't have the eyes of a calligrapher! Consistency is probably the most important goal, and the best advice I know (paraphrased from Joe Vitolo) is that it's much better to spend a small time practicing good technique than a long time practicing mediocre technique and mistakes. I'd write much better if I were to take this advice to heart...

Good luck on your quest!


Cheers,
Tom