Advice Appreciated For A Rookie

[GranTorino25]

Hi there!

I am still fairly new to the fountain pen game (been using one for about 4 years now). Before FPs, my handwriting would have generously been described as 'loopy print'. With my first fountain pen I practiced my writing a lot, but with no real pattern of font, style, etc. to it, just tried to make my letters look a bit nicer, and have a somewhat reasonable cursive script.

 

I've now got to the point where I would like to significantly improve on my handwriting!

 

Below is a photo of my handwriting at the moment (5 mm grid, for reference). It's a mish-mash of various letters I have seen other people write nicely, plus what kinda flowed for me. I am entirely a hand/finger writer, although from my reading of the Palmer guide, I set up fairly well for arm writing, I just don't do it (I have tried, and noted the child-like scribbles!). I very much enjoy writing with my cursive italic nibs, and most of my pens have one.

 

(apologies if I use font and writing style interchangeably, and these are separate things! Rookie, remember....)

 

I have a few questions:

1) Does my current handwriting match in, closely or loosely, with a font or writing style? I have looked at a few different fonts in the calligraphy thread (those that are still there to view), and done a bit of a google. I've found a few styles which are nice, but have various different issues- I like how certain letters look the way I write them, and don't realllllly want to change those if possible.

 

2) I have read the Palmer Method guide, and have no problems with doing the lessons and putting in the time and effort. However, I don't like how a fair few of the letters look at the end of it all. Is this method transferable to other fonts/styles? Is it still a worthwhile method to learn, as a basis for all arm-writing and writing styles?

 

3) Can anyone recommend a font that is appropriate for reasonably fast writing (predominately I am taking notes in lectures, meetings, or quickly between clients), but also has the look of 'nice' writing? I don't need to go all the way down a calligraphy path, but it would be nice to be able to write letters and the like in a pleasant but readable way!

 

Kindest regards

GT25

[ac12]

D'Nelian style/hand.

 

Mix and match as you please.

That is what I did.

 

Also google "American cursive" and "new American cursive," for more ideas.

[GranTorino25]

Thank you