Notebooks -- Writing On/beneath/between The Lines

[TPK]

Following on from recent topics about using ruled notebooks, and also an older discussion about writing between the lines I decided to put together some calculations to figure out relationships between ruled-line spacing, *writing* line spacing, and nib width. The attached pictures (both from Excel) are the result.

 

This first shows examples of the three most obvious spacing options when writing in a lined notebook. I hadn't thought of the middle one (the writing positioned alternately as sitting on and then hanging from a ruled line) until this morning, but I tried it in a Moleskine (6.35mm ruling) and it works well. The examples are approximate, given the only reasonable "calligraphy" font on my Mac. For example, on the larger example, the letter bases are protruding below the baseline, and the ascenders don't go as high as they should. But I hope you get the idea. The overall intent I think would be that a learner could start with the first style, which provides maximum guidance, gradually moving to the last of the three as skill improves (before eventually moving, perhaps, to an entirely unruled/unguided blank page). That's how I'm using it anyway.

 

The second is a table showing what an "optimal" nib width is, given parameters of: your preferred number of nib widths per x height, inter-rule spacing in your notebook, and inter-writing-line spacing (i.e. how many ruled lines in your notebook you want to devote to a single line of actual writing).

 

If anyone wants the Excel, I can post that too. But it's only useful for the table; i.e. for if you wanted to try different nib:x-height numbers, or different rulings. The samples in the first picture are hand-generated (the lines I mean, not the writing, although even that is simply Lucida Calligraphy font in three sizes manually selected merely to demonstrate the general idea).

 

tpk

Edited October 19, 2013 by TPK

[MisterBoll]

Will all these numbers help you read between the lines?

[GClef]

 

 

 

http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/gclef1114/Tutuguans/IMAG0383-1_zps63deecbe.jpg

[Running Hand]

TPK, thanks for your analysis!

 

I've been led to think about writing line placement in relation to rulings since I sometimes practice with French/Seyes-ruled paper. For me, it would have been simpler with 3 or 5 spaces between Seyes major rules instead of the 4. If I have 1 line of writing for 5 minor rulings, I will have 4 lines of writing for 5 major rulings. As you indicate, there are advantages to maturing to unruled paper.

 

On your calculation of "nib widths," we shouldn't take that name too literally since the width of the line laid down is a function of ink and paper as well as nib width. But it does read better than "Ideal 'width of line laid down' per ruled paper and writing space."

 

Thanks again.