Black Letter Capital Letters - Pen Angle

[patrickfp]

I found this in Edward Johnston's book, and would like to hear your opinion on how these letters were constructed.

 

• I have the impression that the pen was not keep at a constant 45º angle. The vertical portion of the curved line in B seems to be quite thick.
• I am having a hard time finding the start angle I should set my pen to start:
  • The top left curve of the A
  • The top left curve of the B
  • The top left curve of the D

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

 

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b77/pngpingching/Blog/IMG-20150613-00379_zps3hzq5tjk.jpg

[brunico]

By constant manipulation of the pen angle away from the standard angle, even within some of the individual strokes, and by using another pen to do the hairlines and the "baubles" on I and J. You could just about do all this with a single pen - possibly a Pilot Parallel, which can write on the corner of the nib - but it would redefine painstaking.

 

Johnston calls this a modern example of blackletter, so I presume he means the over-elaborate sort of commercial lettering you'd find on one of those "Ye Olde" pub signs. Note that he thinks the earlier example in fig.191 on the next page of your book is much more pleasing - and it's simpler to copy, too.

[patrickfp]

Thanks brunico. To be honest, I have not read the book completely from start to finish. I was looking for capital models to follow. I have bought many books, but have not read them all...I should probably read them :-)

[patrickfp]

Still a lot of room for improvement, but I am having fun along the way.

 

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b77/pngpingching/Blog/IMG-20150613-00383_zpszd54nm6g.jpg

[patrickfp]

I am quite happy to be able to produce this after only one day. Black Letter can be so addictive!

 

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b77/pngpingching/Blog/Gothic_zpsrrp5sujo.jpg