Copperplate Practice Workbook

[soccer13]

Hi! I just joined this network, and I'm new to calligraphy world. I'm looking for a workbook to practice copperplate font. Suggestions?

[iveyman]

I have used "Mastering Copperplate Calligraphy - A Step-by-Step Manual" by Eleanor Winters and

"How to Write Copperplate" by Hamid Reza Ebrahimi. I still refer to them, from time to time.

[Randal6393]

+ 1 on Eleanor Winters book. I also use and enjoy her book, Italic and Copperplate Calligraphy. That's an excellent two-for-one deal, gives you an idea of how similar and how different the two styles are.

 

Ken Frazer has a book on Copperplate styles and types, very good examples. He gives examples of the calligraphy and the handwriting of English Round-Hand as well, IIRC.

 

Copperplate has many names, Engraving Script, Engrossing Script, Round Hand (not all Round Hands are Copperplate, though). There are many good videos, texts, and tutorials on the subject at IAMPETH (www.iampeth.com). The site is sometimes troublesome to navigate but well worth looking at.

 

Best of luck,

[soccer13]

I have used "Mastering Copperplate Calligraphy - A Step-by-Step Manual" by Eleanor Winters and

"How to Write Copperplate" by Hamid Reza Ebrahimi. I still refer to them, from time to time.

+ 1 on Eleanor Winters book. I also use and enjoy her book, Italic and Copperplate Calligraphy. That's an excellent two-for-one deal, gives you an idea of how similar and how different the two styles are.

 

Ken Frazer has a book on Copperplate styles and types, very good examples. He gives examples of the calligraphy and the handwriting of English Round-Hand as well, IIRC.

 

Copperplate has many names, Engraving Script, Engrossing Script, Round Hand (not all Round Hands are Copperplate, though). There are many good videos, texts, and tutorials on the subject at IAMPETH (www.iampeth.com). The site is sometimes troublesome to navigate but well worth looking at.

 

Best of luck,

What's the best fountain pen with which to practice pressure strokes?

[Randal6393]

If you can find/afford one, a Pelikan with a flex modification by Richard Binder, Mike Motisha, John Masuyama, et al. That will set you back north of $250.00 A Waterman with flex nib, maybe $200.00 or less. But, finding one for sale and making sure it has a flex nib? Not so easy.

 

In the less expensive line of pens, an Ahab with a flex nib runs a bit over $20, Fountain Pen Revolution (FPR) carries a series of pens running from around $6 to over $40. FPR adds $3 to the cost of one of their pens to equip it with a flex nib (or broad-edge nib). The flex is variable, will be less than a Pelikan or Pilot Falcon with flex mod. But costwise, it doesn't break the bank.

 

The classic way to study Copperplate is to start with a dip pen, straight holder for lefties, oblique for right handers. It will teach you much more, IMHO, about that style of writing than a fountain pen. A good dip pen nib, such as the Leonardt Principal EF or a Gillot 303/404 or a Nikko/Zebra/Tachikawa G nib, and a good oblique holder plus a decent bottle of ink for same would set you back less than $100.00. Way less. This is the route I started on and the only way I do Copperplate now. Fountain pens just weren't as much fun.

 

Best of luck,

Edited November 19, 2015 by Randal6393

[soccer13]

I have seen oblique holder, but I don't know how it's easier to learn with it. Shouldn't it be harder to learn since it's different than normal pens?

[Randal6393]

The oblique holder is angled so that the flex line is much easier to write. Without contortions of the hand and wrist.

 

Pros: Easy to write with, easy to replace nibs, standard for flexed hands for around two hundred years. Not very expensive. Lots of tutorials on the web on how to use a dip pen.

 

Cons: It is a dip pen, requires learning how to load the ink and write with a pen that runs out of ink every so often. Not very portable.

 

Enjoy,

[soccer13]

I'm having hard time finding Leonardt Principal EF exactly.

Are these the right nibs? http://www.michaels.com/manuscript-calligraphy-dip-pen-round-hand-set-no1/10337575.html#q=Calligraphy+&start=28

http://www.michaels.com/manuscript-calligraphy-dip-pen-copperplate-and-shadow-set/10337574.html#q=Calligraphy+&start=5

 

What's the difference between shadow and round set?

[Randal6393]

Roughly, the shadow set is for pointed pen work, the round set is for broad-edged writing. In other words, Copperplate vs Italic. Either set is a fair starter set. However, Paper and Ink Arts or John Neal, Bookseller carries a much broader set of nibs and supplies. If you have a Michael's Hobbies handy, that would be the easiest way to get started.

 

A good start for Copperplate practice would be the Shadow set, a bottle of good ink, say Higgins Eternal, and a good pad of paper. From my experiences, would say you will soon realize what you do and don't like. And will amass a great deal of extra supplies, things that work well or not. Another good practice ink, available at Michael's, is the Speedball line.

 

Best of luck,

[soccer13]

Nib: http://www.paperinkarts.com/princi.html

Holder: H61 Blackwell Plastic Handle Oblique from Jeal Neal Bookseller

Ink: http://www.paperinkarts.com/etrnal.html

 

Will that holder work with Leonardt EF?

[Randal6393]

Oh, yes, that is a good basic setup. By the way, I always order three of a nib that I want to try. You will wear nibs out, sometimes one may not be as sharp as you want, etc. It just makes sense to order a few.

 

My favorite oblique is the Blackwell adjustable and I often use Leonardt Principal EF's in mine.

 

Enjoy,

[soccer13]

From where did you buy your Blackwell adjustable? I am unable to find it anywhere.

[Randal6393]

The Blackwell Adjustable is available from John Neal, Bookseller. Either in plastic for ~$32 (H61) or in wood for ~$45 (H51). Have had mine for five years, tried everything from a Brause 66EF (very tiny) nib to a Leonardt Principal EF to a Brause Rose nib (very large). Works well with all, gave me a chance to try and see what I like for nibs.

 

My favorite nib is the Brause Rose nib. A real pain to get started and flowing but a gem to write with once it is broken in. Like the Nikko/Zebra/Tachikawa G nibs, always write a nice line and hold up well. The classic Gillott 303 and LP EF are fun, too. Problem with the Gillott nibs is that the steel rusts faster than many nibs. Have also used the infamous "Blue Pumpkin" nib to good effect.

 

All of these nibs easily fit into the Blackwell Adjustable holder. Mine is the wood model, the plastic should work just as well. I also have a Ziller Oblique and a Speedball Oblique that work well. Just require a bit more adjustment, so usually leave a Nikko G in each.

 

As for ink, I use Speedball Acrylic for practice, or Sumi inks from various manufacturers. Most final work is done with Old World or McCaffrey's iron gall inks. Find the Ziller inks to be good as well. And, JNB carries a great Walnut ink, in crystal form. Just add hot water to the crystals and stir, let settle.

 

Best of luck,