Taking a break from the pointed pen

This time last week I was wittering on about looking forward to learning the basics of Carolingian minuscule at my evening class. Here's how I got on:

(click for bigger)

We tend to spend the first half of the evening discussing a particular script and practising the basic letter forms, and if we feel we're getting on well enough we can then go on and try using it for a passage of writing. I'm a firm believer in running before I can walk, so like to practice by writing things out rather than just copying out the alphabet ad nauseum.
The rounded bowl-shapes of the m, n and h lean more towards Uncial than Carolingian (as does the rounded ascender of the d), but my Calligrapher's Bible used these and I preferred the more distinctive look it gave over the straighter stems that were more like Foundation hand. A great hand for anything with a slightly Celtic feel to it - especially with a Celtic-knot border. Care needs to be taken over the spacing though, as it really shows up any overly-large white spaces (or any cramped lettering).



In other news, my Italics also seem to be progressing well. Here's a practice page from last week:

Much more consistent than earlier attempts, but this does appear to have been at the detriment of my Copperplate script, which I've been taking a little break from recently.

The lovely blossoming Crab Apple tree that I posted a picture of last time has sadly become a casualty of the building works at home :-( but we do have some lovely roses (see right) to make up for it a little bit. Looking forward to choosing a replacement tree to plant in November though.

And here's an early attempt at some flourishing. Still waiting [im]patiently for my parcel...

Getting distracted

A couple of weeks ago I had every intention of diligently pursuing Dr. Joe Vitolo's videos on IAMPETH on Copperplate majuscules, but I appear to have got distracted by several other things and am yet to find the time to watch them.

First off I received my copy of Ken Fraser's Copperplate Handwriting and spent some time going back to basics and working my way through some pages of exercises. I won't go into too much detail here as I intend to write a proper review of it as soon as I get the chance. Then the builders moved in at home, bringing with them their own special kind of chaos; next I thought I'd try my hand at some offhand flourishing exercises (which is an excellent way of ruining a perfectly serviceable nib, but very satisfying all the same - pictures to follow); and finally I received my list of envelope exchange addresses for the next 6 months :-)

The envelope exchange is run by the CLAS Copperplate Special Interest Group and basically means you complete an envelope design for a different person each month. It's great because not only do you have a small project to focus on, but you get to receive a lovely envelope each month too. Obviously I'm not going to be posting pictures of people's names and addresses, but let's just say that the one I've sent this month is PURPLE with silver ink :-) (and even a small attempt at a flourish in the corner). I'm quite pleased with the way it's turned out, but have learnt that Winsor & Newton metallic inks need to be thinned with water before being used for pointed pen work.

Things I'm looking forward to include:

• receiving my fist envelope exchange envelope
• receiving my latest order from John Neal Bookseller, which includes a DVD on flourishing techniques and some nibs to play with
• attending some workshops with renowned local calligrapher Gaynor Goffe
• learning Carolingian at my class tomorrow evening

And because this post would be otherwise entirely devoid of pretty pictures, here's some Crab Apple blossom: