How Quickly Should I Be Writing When Practicing Spencerian?

[TestTube]

Total beginner here...this is the first time I've actually made it a goal to better my handwriting and I'm practicing at least an hour every day. I'm only on day 5 right now but I'm wondering how quickly I should be writing when practicing.

 

I know the idea is to go slower than you would when you normally write but is there a point where it's just too slow? I find that when I go too slow my hand starts to get a bit shaky. I'm not sure if this is *entirely* because of how new I am or if, for example, the writing in the video below is just plain too slow:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi2EdK1C-7o&list=PLAA95-XRtu0iJlJUjG6iK9X6EvXqTtkUV&index=1

 

Also, while I'm at it, if anyone has an idea of how I should be splitting up my time (or if it's alright the way I'm doing it) please let me know. Right now I'm printing out individual letters and tracing half and writing out the other half without tracing it (but with a visual guide) on a 52 degree slant grid. (and I'm using the Palmer method, which I'm also new at)

[Pickwick]

When I was at school my teacher wrote the script on a blackboard, I along with the class copied each lesson in a text book. Your video shows you tracing over the example. Instead, you should be copying below it until you are confident you have a likeness, otherwise you wont be making any progress. You also should be practising with a flexible nib for the down strokes.

[galem]

Spencerian is a type of calligraphy like Copperplate, Italic, Blackletter, etc. and it has especially complex and elegant capital letter forms. All calligraphy is written slowly because you have to get the letterforms correct and keep the slant, letter widths, heights and connections consistent. There is no way to write it correctly and beautifully with much speed. After a lot of practice you do acquire a rhythm. This is not the same as copying handwriting from a board. It is common in calligraphy to begin by tracing letters as this creates muscle memory. After you have traced and think you have it, you can then write it on your own. I found it helpful to write my own letter below the traced one and then place that sheet on top of the traced letter on a light board and mark the differences with a red pencil. In the many classes I have taken from professional calligraphers this is the suggested method. Many people on this forum confuse calligraphy with regular handwriting. It takes many months or even years of practice to do beautiful calligraphy, and one is always learning new letter forms and how to flourish the letters. Calligraphy teachers generally start students out with Uncial or Foundational hands, progress to Italic and only then on to Copperplate followed by Spencerian. Try the IAMPETH website (just Google IAMPETH) for the right kind of information. Make sure too that you have the right kind of nib, ink and paper. We use John Neal or Paper and Ink Arts online stores for most of our supplies. Good luck!

Edited December 20, 2019 by galem

[Inky.Fingers]

Palmer method is a wonderful way to learn Spencerian. Use the manual that started it...Palmer's Budget Penmanship.

[TestTube]

Okay. I will look into it. Thanks (And ty to the 2 above posters as well).

 

If anyone else has any more input / tips, please by all means let me know.

 

Thank you!

[Inky.Fingers]

I fried eggs and some. The manual from Ziller made more senses to me. Hence, I practice Business Penmanship with Ziller. I think if you follow the Palmer's Budget Penmanship to the tee...you will gain a fast Spencerian hand. Good luck and show us your progress

[Inky.Fingers]

I fried eggs and some. The manual from Ziller made more senses to me. Hence, I practice Business Penmanship with Ziller. I think if you follow the Palmer's Budget Penmanship to the tee...you will gain a fast Spencerian hand. Good luck and show us your progress