Basic Exercise

[Ted F]

For the past year I've been trying to improve my handwriting by endlessly writing about a dozen standard sentences over and over again along with some of the extremely long paragraphs that have been posted in this forum. I don't want to change my handwriting by learning some fancy script, just improve what I already have by making it neater and more consistent. In the past year I really haven't made any progress.

 

Does anyone know of some basic exercises that I can do which would help me?

[silver ink]

sir if you post a sample of your handwriting then it will be easy for the experts to recommend something

 

considering your style cause for copperplate there is different exercise and for spencerian a different one

Edited September 2, 2014 by silver ink

[Ted F]

Written fast, not slow or deliberate, but in the speed that I would normally write:

 

 

[SuperNib44]

You can look up on the internet how to do these...

 

-circle drill (my favorite)

 

-push and pull

 

-line bends (don't know a name for them)

 

Look on this (http://www.iampeth.com/books/palmer_method_1935/palmerMethod_1935_index.php) website at this and other writing books from days past.

[pmhudepo]

Along the same lines, Edward C. Mills' Modern Business Penmanship offers excellent drills and exercises, as well as specific instructions on each letter. I keep the PDF version of this book on my iPad for refence during practice.

 

If you really want each letter decomposed into basic strokes, consider Theory of Spencerian Penmanship. Even if you're not planning to learn that particular hand, it might be a good idea to take note of the idea that a hand or script often has just a few basic strokes and angles and mastering these goes a long way towards mastering the script.

Edited September 3, 2014 by pmhudepo

[silver ink]

I think you should not use a stub nib during learning because stub nib is usually used for calligraphy and writing with it for taking notes daily can be hard since your letters also have a slant.

stub nib and the slant in your letters can be one of the reason why you have not made any progress in a year.

Edited September 3, 2014 by silver ink

[Ted F]

I don't practice with a stub nib and use fine or medium for general writing.

[silver ink]

have you tried changing the angle of the paper you write on?