15 replies to this topic

[carretera18]

Hi,

 

After seeing some very nice penmanship video here and on the Internet I decided to try my first video.

 

I tried it with my Esterbrook J with 9128 flex nib.

 

Hope you enjoy...

 

comments are welcome

 

 

Original post at my blog

 

 

 

 

Edited by carretera18, 05 September 2013 - 13:24.

[fountainpenlady]

_{How beautiful}  

_{I keep wanting to learn how to take my time, learn to write something similar to calligraphy, but I keep getting stuck. Really nice.}

[carretera18]

Hi fountainpenlady,

 

I'm beginning the learning curve and I have a very long road to improve my penmanship.

 

The Plato's quote "The beginning is the most important part of the work" it's very apropriated for this situation.

 

best regards.

[akustyk]

I like the video! Could you tell me how you positioned your camera? Where is it? Thanks!

[carretera18]

Hi akustyk,

 

I hold my tablet between my right hand and my head in a very odd and improvised position. I'll try with a camera with tripod in next time.

 

best regards.

[pmhudepo]

Nice video!  A movie helps analyze your writing action more easily.  I should probably figure out how to upload my own first writing movie from my camera to YouTube.

 

I do wonder a bit about your grip and movement.  Do you find this comfortable enough to use for an entire page, or several pages?  It seems somewhat tight to me, with the thumb positioned over and under your index finger.  Have you considered the tripod grip and less finger movement?

[pmhudepo]

About recording: I used a small Gorillapod tripod with a compact camera, positioned between my chest and writing.  Just a little bit awkward, but I think it allows for pretty much undisturbed writing.

[carretera18]

Hi pmhudepo,

 

Thanks for tip. Really I was very uncomfortable when I was writing in this video. I'm planning to try with tripod and compact camera to write more naturally and relaxed in next video.

 

Thanks for comment!

[LuMA]

I agree with pmhudepo on your grip position. With the tripod grip, you'll have a wider range of movement and your writing will develop more flow and consistency in the letters. Also, I was curious as to if you write with your palm resting on the writing surface? The angle of the camera allowed for a complete view of the writing... Will also have to try this someday.

[Swaffer]

Very cool

a pleasure to watch

Swaffer

[carretera18]

Luma,

 

Are you curious about my left palm? It was holding the tablet... Really I was in a very unconfortable position...

 

Í'll look for for more comfortable position in next try.

 

Swaffer,

 

Thanks for watch my video!

 

Best regards

[LuMA]

Sorry for the confusion.... I meant if you rest your right hand while holding the pen on the writing surface?

[carretera18]

Luma,

 

Sorry for my confusion...

 

Yes, I rest my right hand on writing surface... Is this a wrong way?

[pmhudepo]

There is no right or wrong way as long as you are comfortable using it.

 

Consensus on FPN appears to be that a tripod grip is quite comfortable. See this post by caliken and this post by troglokev for good illiustrations.

 

As far as motion is concerned, opinions seem a little varied.  In EC Mills' Modern Business Penmanship, he states: "Let no part of the hand or wrist touch the paper except the third and fourth fingers."  He is a strong advocate of using the muscles in your arm to do the writing. I believe Palmer does so, too, but I haven't read his books in detail.

 

My initial experience with this muscular movement is a lack of control. Wobbly lines, difficulty in forming beautiful letters. I found it quite frustrating at first.  It does take some time to regain control over the pen, without descending into a cramped scenario of "death grip" and "finger movement".  Start big, doodle instead of write, get better at handling the pen this way, not necessarily writing itself just yet.

 

I believe others are less strict and suggest a mix of finger writing and muscular movement, aptly named whole arm movement. Particularly small lettering and using a flex nib will be difficult to execute with pure muscular movement. (And certainly the Palmer method is not aimed at flex writing.) So perhaps whole arm movement, involving both the big muscles for a strong, fluid drive and the fingers for little details is the way to go in many cases.

Edited by pmhudepo, 07 September 2013 - 08:48.

[betweenthelens]

Lovely! I really like your penmanship and nice video, too. I had to laugh about the positioning of the tablet between your right hand and head. Using a tripod may even change your penmanship when your right hand and head are more relaxed!

[carretera18]

pmhudepo,

 

I read about muscular movement but I have difficulty to practice this technique and trying sometimes when I make my penmanship exercises. But I confess that is very hard to follow this follow this recommendation strictly and I'll follow your tip and will try the mixed combination.

 

betweenthelens,

 

Yes, I'll use a compact camera with tripod and try more relaxed writing.