Left Hander Attempting To Learn Spencerian.

[JC98]

I am 20 years old, a left handed writer, and new to the world of fountain pens. I taught myself cursive when I was in the 7th grade, because before then my penmanship was absolutely terrible, and schools in the U.S. do not teach it past the 2nd grade. For a very long time I have admired the beauty of Spencerian script, yet I am very apprehensive to even attempt to learn it because of my handedness. Normally I am a hooker, like most left handers, but I do not view that as practical for a script that emphasizes whole arm movement. I am trying to become a sort of underhanded writer, and am doing the push-pull exercises as described in the book "Modern Business Penmanship" on IAMPETH.com. The trouble is, I don't really know what I am doing right, nor do I know what I am doing wrong. I have attached an image below of my grip and the angle at which I have the paper. Is this grip feasible for the script? Is there anything I could do better? Please let me know.

 

[Inky.Fingers]

First thing first...Get it right.

 

See this video and tell me if it makes sense.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOjh0SkwyCM

 

His left hand writing is an exact mirror of his right hand writing.

 

VERY important. LOOK at his sitting position. His hands and arms position. It is imperative to copy exactly as is.

 

Afterward, it is all drills to make your hand more flexible, that is to acquire muscle memory.

Drills are drills and not actual writings. I have a few suggestions on the type of drills.

 

Edited June 8, 2018 by _InkyFingers

[JC98]

Minor mistake. I meant more of a sidewriter. I have no idea how someone writes as he does, and becoming a side writer would be far less of an adjustment for me than what he is doing.

Edited June 12, 2018 by JC98

[liberalartsthot]

I just tried turning the paper to the right and then to the left, and i have no idea how you guys write with it turned to the right. wouldnt turnin it to the left help with the italics? please explain

[Inky.Fingers]

With Italics, leaving the paper straight on will work for both lefty and right. The only difference is the pen-works. That is, right tends to pull and lefty at push. You have to learn to push with full nib on, to extract full width. I suggest not to use a dry pen but a wet one, else use an edged marker.

[liberalartsthot]

With Italics, leaving the paper straight on will work for both lefty and right. The only difference is the pen-works. That is, right tends to pull and lefty at push. You have to learn to push with full nib on, to extract full width. I suggest not to use a dry pen but a wet one, else use an edged marker.

 

what do ya mean? I have a ... pen. Lol, it's a M nib fountain pen, not flex or anything. the ink is pretty dry? Not sure

[liberalartsthot]

why is it important to extract full width?