Over the last few months, while using FPN, I've been learning to use my flex nibs properly. It's great to have a resource like this, and today I thought I'd post a sample of my normal handwriting and my flex Engrosser's script, in a request for tips and feedback from Those Who Know.

So, here it is! Somehow it's just not quite right... is it the slant, or the letterforms, or the proportions which are inconsistent? Or all three?!



Oh - and please don't pull your punches, I'm posting to improve.

While Those Who Know prepare their words of wisdom I thought I'd just say that I find your flex handwriting very attractive, to the point of making me more than a little jealous. I'm sure there are possible improvements, but I would be happy to reach half your level. Perhaps a more strongly enforced uniformity of letter size and slant would make your writing look more Copperplatey, but I for one quite like the vibrancy that accompanies a controlled diversity.

PS: There's a u missing in your signature. And why the user name?

Edited to remove copy of first post

Thanks, Inkling! But only two months ago, I couldn't even form an A, so it's not too hard to get to this level without too much trouble, I think.

The username is Of Old, when I chose my first Internet username - I chose a random page in a dictionary (latin of course) and picked the best word on it. Now, let me see if I can find the error in my signature... Are you a latin scholar? I learned to GCSE, which is almost six years ago now!

Well, I have been practicing for rather more than two months without showing any sign of definite improvement, so I think it is at least partly down to an innate talent that you have made such good progress.

My (all too meagre) knowledge of latin comes from my studies and, later, work as a medieval historian. Sorry for slipping into a school-mastery mode there for a second - I know that such typos are very easy to make but very hard to spot yourself. I did originally find your username excessively self-disparaging, but I like the idea of some randomness in selecting it.

regards,

Sigbjorn

You've not got too much slant for copperplate. I'd say you're learning fast! Just keep your slant & letter height consistent. I've not seen a long tail like you show on a couple of your "y"s, but maybe you purposely did this. Keep at it!!!

Best, Ann

Well, it's kind of you to say so. What kind of flex nibs do you have? As a fellow beginner, I'm interested to hear what you started with...



Heh, it's nice to find someone who understands it. My motivation for choosing it in the first place was its total opposition to the (saxon) English word(s) for the same thing(s) - instead of terse hard-voweled monosyllables, this is an elegant double-iambic.




Thanks for the input, Ann. You're right, I think - it's got to be consistency. The trouble is, it doesn't look wrong while I'm writing, or even so bad when it's on paper - but the scanner really, really shows up the errors! I might invest in some graph paper to practise this.

What is the [i]ideal/[i] slant, and x/t/l propotion for the miniscules?

I feel that your x-height is most noticeably inconsistent. Ascenders and descenders can go wherever you want. Also I think you may be writing too fast. I like this post. See his "Flexible nib writing" video.

Also, see this post.

Yes, I actually saw that last night and read it with interest. As yet, I'm not clear on the correct forms. As Ann noted, the long descenders are something I enjoy, and the f form is just a combination of the correct F and a loopy finish. Unfortunately, it's just wrong, so I'm working on undoing it.

For a start, force yourself to space out your letters far apart.
Concentrate on the formation of each letter, you shld be able to then also concentrate on the slant.
Caliken once told me his technique is that the paper should be canted such that your slants are vertical.

Of course, Practice like mad.

vermiculus, I must say you that you have an outstanding penmanship.

vermiculus

Halfway down this thread here is a small illustration showing the traditional proportions etc. for copperplate script. I hope it's of some help. You have nice lettering, by the way, and have made a great start.

caliken

Sorry to the last two - I wrote this before you posted! And anyway, "Caliken" just doesn't scan in iambic...

I've been doing some practise on graph paper and getting used to the proportions. I've found that writing smaller (closer to my normal writing size) makes it more consistent, probably because they're the sizes I'm used to already. Also, getting into a rhythmical zigzag flow and spacing has helped a bit.

It's by no means excellent yet, but I think it has improved a lot with input so far. More comments welcomed!

I am not worthy of such thoughtful thanks, but I'm glad I could help.

In 2 days you have improved noticeably. At this point I'm wondering what kind of writing instrument you're using. It's easier with an oblique nib holder.

Yes, I have experimented with dip-pens and my writing's immediatly much better. But this is a fountain pen - a Tropen Scholar with a fine-flex steel nib.

I'm no expert, but you're doing great !

Enjoy.

Hold your pen at a shallower angle ?

Try.