Paper For Spencerian Practice

[Thrasymachus]

Hello all,

 

I have been learning the Spencerian script and am in need of some advice as to which type of paper is best for this purpose. So far I have tried some cheap legal pads from an office-supply store as well as the Ampad Evidence legal pads. Both of these resulted in very bad feathering and bleeding. I am using a Hunt 101 nib with Higgins Eternal ink. I have also used a standard composition book, which gave the best result of the three (no feathering), but I'd prefer something a little bigger. I've heard about Ampad Gold Fibre being good, but some have also said that it's prone to feathering. Any recommendations? The price should be reasonable since this is only going to be used for practice.

[beachwalker]

... Any recommendations? The price should be reasonable since this is only going to be used for practice.

 

As someone also starting out in caligraphy (copperplate), I felt the same way until I came to the realization that my learning was being badly hampered by the paper I was using. I bit the bullet and picked up some HP 32lb laser printer paper - and now I wonder why it took me so long to recognize I was working against myself. And, to help justify the cost, this paper in very good FP paper for all your inky needs. I'm not aware of any other single sheet blank papers that work half as well. John Neal offers pads of caligraphy paper, and I've used grid pads (both 8.5x11 and 11x17 - 8 squares to the inch) - but found them a bit rough, especially on the up strokes.

 

Good luck. John

[wallylynn]

I'm slowly trying to learn Spencerian also. But I'm just using a FP not a dip pen. My journal is 32lb HP also. the paper is great but as you know pricy.

 

Might be easier to change the ink. Michael Sull sells Mcaffery's Penman ink in his learn spencerian kit.

[Mickey]

Here's my favorite this week:

 

http://www.utrechtar...1008737.utrecht

[smk]

Considering the amount of time we put in learning Calligraphy it does not seem reasonable to save money on materials.

 

Lets say it takes 12 weeks on average to learn a script. If we budget $45 for paper, holders, ink and nibs, it comes out to 50 cents a day - not too expensive, especially considering we're gaining something that'll stay with us for life.

 

A 500 sheet ream of HP 32lb is $13.99 at Costco, $16.99 at Office Depot - that still leaves almost $30 for holders, nibs and ink. I'd say go for the paper - you won't regret it.

 

Best of luck with your practice.

 

Salman

[smk]

Here's my favorite this week:

 

http://www.utrechtar...1008737.utrecht

 

+1

 

Marker pads are generally excellent for pointed pen work but not so good for square edged nibs in my experience.

 

Salman

[Mickey]

Here's my favorite this week:

 

http://www.utrechtar...1008737.utrecht

 

+1

 

Marker pads are generally excellent for pointed pen work but not so good for square edged nibs in my experience.

 

Salman

 

Try putting a clip on the bottom of the sheet as well as on the top. That will counter the increased drag of the push strokes.

[smk]

Try putting a clip on the bottom of the sheet as well as on the top. That will counter the increased drag of the push strokes.

 

Marker pads feel a bit too dry for use with square edged nibs. It might just be the ink or the brand of paper (Daler Rowney Simply Marker pads) I used but it seems like the paper has some kind of a coating that makes the nibs feel clogged up after a line or so of writing. Pointed nibs put down the ink in a different way and did not suffer from the too dry feeling for me.

 

I like the thinness of the paper as it allows me to place a guide sheet underneath and see it clearly.

 

Thanks for the tip on placing a clip at the bottom, I'll keep that in mind when using thinner paper.

 

Salman

[lamder]

Here's my favorite this week:

 

http://www.utrechtar...1008737.utrecht

 

+1

 

Marker pads are generally excellent for pointed pen work but not so good for square edged nibs in my experience.

 

Salman

 

Serendipity strikes. After having not heard of this marker pad till yesterday, I came across it at the Michaels store today when they are running an "every non-hardcover 9x12 pad for $5" deal (till 7/14). I picked one up, among other things. Haven't tried a square edge nib on it yet, but results from using a really wet flex pointed nib on it look very promising.

 

Sam