4Real Forums: Calligraphy Resources?

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Topic: Calligraphy Resources?

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MarilynW
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Posted: Jan 15 2014 at 2:54pm \| IP Logged

I really want to learn calligraphy and also improve my handwriting. Please would your recommend calligraphy resources for ME...

Two of my projects are to a) make calligraphy cards b)use calligraphy in my journals.

Thanks!

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JennGM
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Posted: Jan 15 2014 at 3:10pm \| IP Logged

One of my favorite subjects and things to do!!

Books by Eleanor Winters are excellent. For beginning, her "kids" books are universally appealing.

You can find calligraphy fountain pens at the big box craft stores, although if I remember correctly, Hobby Lobby and Michaels have the best selection. I started with Sheaffer, but I find that Manuscript are better. You probably want to start either with italic or a pointed pen script! like copperplate.

Two online sites for great ideas: John Neal Bookseller and Paper and Ink Arts.

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MarilynW
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Posted: Jan 16 2014 at 8:29pm \| IP Logged

Thanks Jenn for the ideas. I think I will get the Eleanor Winters kid book. Would the Elegant Writer marker pens do, or should I get a fountain pen?

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JennGM
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Posted: Jan 16 2014 at 9:32pm \| IP Logged

A marker pen is good for the very beginning so you can figure out how to hold the angle and practice a bit.

The point wears out pretty quickly, but it's better to start with marker.

After getting the hang, switch to metal nibs. Make you have your own, and no one else uses it. (This really applies to all calligraphy pens.) The nibs conform to your use, but if someone uses (misuses) the pen, you will be frustrated that the angles are wrong and the ink doesn't flow right. Plus, there are different angles used for different scripts, which makes the ink flow differently.

The negative side of felt tip is the angles aren't as sharp as a metal tip, nor can you get varied sizes as much as metal nibs.

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Jennifer G. Miller
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JennGM
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Posted: Jan 17 2014 at 9:50am \| IP Logged

If you are interested in pointed pen scripts, this is an excellent resource. I had started learning, and my teacher got sick...and things went by the wayside. This is a goal for me to learn one of these hands. Problem is I can't decide which one.

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juliana147
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Posted: Jan 17 2014 at 5:07pm \| IP Logged

I like the Eleanor Winters books, too. The "kids" books are very beginner-friendly. Margaret Shepherd's books are fun, too, and not very serious. Calligraphy Alphabets Made Easy (no link, sorry!) has some wonderful experimental examples. These would be fun in a journal.

I love calligraphy...

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Juliana

JennGM
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Posted: Jan 17 2014 at 6:12pm \| IP Logged

juliana147 wrote:

A fellow scribe!!!!! Margaret Shepherd was one of the first authors. I think professionals don't think highly of her work, but I agree, they aren't too serious and easy to follow.

I really like the books by David Harris, and really enjoy Marie Angel's books, if you get into painting and calligraphy. A lot of eye candy.

I just requested yesterday the Modern Calligraphy book from my library.

I admit to owning many books over the years. I like to compare and contrast and I always take away some new knowledge or application with every book.

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Jennifer G. Miller
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juliana147
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Posted: Jan 17 2014 at 7:32pm \| IP Logged

I like Marie Angel, too, Jenn! Her paintings are so beautiful.

I got the same impression about the Shepherd books, but I really like them. They were a friendly way to start.

By the way, I have Modern Calligraphy. I hesitated to recommend it because it is so... modern. I can't decide if it's a good place for a beginner to start. I guess I am torn as to whether I like the new "look" of pointed pen, but it is definitely evolving.

Heather Held does beautiful work with the pointed pen. I think I've seen tutorials by her on the Paper and Ink Arts website.

Marilyn, I hope you enjoy this as much as Jenn and I do!

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Juliana

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Posted: Jan 18 2014 at 1:40pm \| IP Logged

Well of course some of my favorite girls have started talking about this! I JUST wrote calligraphy into my lesson plans for this week!! How timely, I love consolations like this!

I have a few calligraphy books as well, including the Winter�s Kids book....really looking forward to diving in this week with some of the online resources you all posted. Nice!!

I�m a complete newbie, but want to start a Commonplace Book for myself! What spurred me on was reading along with my freshman the Youcat...it has a wonderful set of great quotes and Bible verses with all of the margins. I have used several for copywork, etc...but I want to take my �art journaling� to a different level, and make a "Commonplace Book", or a "Book of Mottos� using some art journaling techniques and calligraphy.

How timely...thanks for the OP, Marilyn!

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