2016 INDEX

Showing posts with label calligraphy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label calligraphy. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

I've taken up the pen again - calligraphy pen

 

February 10, 2021 – I’ve taken up the pen again – calligraphy pen.

 


         I took up the calligraphy pen again.  Over the years, I have dabbled with it since my twenties and tried the self-teach way - I didn’t become good at it.  Then a few years back I actually anteed up money for an instructional class at a local Arts Council location.  It was a small class – I felt bad for the teacher, as she probably didn’t make a profit with just three students.  But, she shared her artistic knowledge and skill willingly - actually lovingly.  She never said we were wrong or incorrect; she just pushed us into becoming better at it coaching us to change your position, turn your paper slightly, hold the pen slightly different to get the thin strokes and the thick. Actually showing us how to critique our own work.

          I do remember her telling us – “The key is practice, practice, practice.”

          At the last class we all had turns using a light board with a line grid slipped into an envelope and we addressed a few to get the feel for it.  Of course, that year on my Christmas list was, “Santa, buy me a light board.”

          Two years later, I purchased a light board and had a bit of fun.  Then I packed up the Christmas decorations and the light board and calligraphy materials were set aside – again.

          Right after Christmas this year, I resurrected those items and they are now spread out on the dining room table. I leave them out, because you need to practice every day in order to become efficient.  Mind you, efficient is not the same as being good at it, efficient only means you remember how to write a “Z” when you need a Z.

          Learning the alphabet in upper and lower case takes time.  You can’t refer to a chart every time you need to write out a card to a friend.

          The other reason I brushed off my supplies and ordered a few more books and nibs and penholders, don’t forget ink . . . seems endless, the supplies, was to give my Parish members now living in nursing homes a little thrill when they receive their monthly card from The Sunshine committee of the Immaculate Conception Church.  I think it is always nice to get a card with pretty handwriting on the front of it.

          My aim is to get good enough to flourish the addresses – aim high – I might just hit it – right?

          I am now a few years into the Sunshine committee monthly cards and I felt certain that would be a way to get more practice with Calligraphy.

          Trust me, I started slow and awful.  Then I got an idea, if I use 4 x 6 index cards to write each of their addresses, I won’t have to look up that occasional letter that is not used often. 

          If I draw lines for envelope spacing I can do a sample address in Calligraphy on the 4 x 6 cards. I can practice, practice, practice until I get the results I want. 4 x 6 cards are cheap!

          So, that is what I did in January, and then I decided to re-do the 4 x 6 cards “cheaters” every week or two and then I went back to the calligraphy manual and honed my alphabet true Copperplate and then decide on a few flourishes.

          These 4 x 6 card – rework – basically is improving my skill, my eye, my consistency.

          In one book it suggests you literally take a red pen to your own work and confirm what mistakes you are making so that you can fix the upstroke or slant or whatever you are doing wrong.  Yes, practice, practice, practice.

          But, today, if anyone is interested in Calligraphy, there is a website I want to point you to so that you can view on line some of the old books from the 18th and 19th centuries.

          https://pennavolans.com

          Penna Volans – “The flying pen” is authored by Sybille who lives in Belgium.

          Under Bibliography she has links to 18th and 19th century great master manuscripts or training manuals that you can review at your leisure.

          If you just want to saturate you mind with beautiful script or flourishes – that is the place to browse.

          This month, I tried white ink on red envelopes for my Valentine’s cards.  I certainly hope they hit the cupid’s mark. 

          And, I find, that practicing the strokes with pencil is extremely helpful training your hand and eye to detail.  You can erase and tweak, see your mistakes, and work at the flaws immediately.

 Disclaimer:  I didn't write the P at the top of this blog - I copied it from Penna Volans - just so pretty - something to strive for.

 


Friday, April 17, 2020

Irreverent quotes that are spot-on


April 17, 2020 – Irreverent quotes that are spot-on

         I dabble in all sorts of things; one is calligraphy – off and on over the years.

         Last year I took calligraphy classes in Copperplate.  It takes practice, lots of practice and quiet time – something that seems to have vanished from my life.

         The quite time hasn’t exactly vanished, I just think it is a case of poor time management at this juncture of my life - I am being a slacker – that’s all. Time I kicked myself in the butt and pulled up those boot-straps again.

         Every once in a while, I get a Pinterest pop up that has calligraphy and this morning I browsed aimlessly with my second cup of coffee.  I know how to kill time on the internet just as well as anyone else.

         But, I found something for the quote collector, that is me, and the calligrapher, also me, and I would say for any women who has grit, spunk, and is outspoken, those that know me, might say I fall into that category.

         I suggest you visit:


         This gal, based in Melbourne, Australia – has it together.

         She has videos of her writing snappy quotes in calligraphy. Trust me, go to her site and experience it first hand – words can’t describe how mesmerizing it is.

         What better way to learn the flourishes and movement of the pen, and to be mesmerized by her certain and swift hand.  JUST AWESOME!

         So, this is a shout out to this gal, a total stranger, but I like her – I even like the quotes with  “f____ing” in them – I nod and heartily agree.  She has a twisted sense of humor that is honest.

         Have I piqued your interest?  I sure hope so.

         I will leave you with a couple of irreverent quotes that I admired from both the calligraphy and the quotes she wrote:



Sometimes you just have to burn the
bridge and learn to swim - @ thegoodquote



I just want to thank all those who’ve destroyed me
into the person I am today.



Stop being so f___ing forgiving,
people know exactly
what they are doing.



Coronavirus ain’t shit, my
ex was more toxic.
– Demetris Tate

Thursday, March 14, 2019


March 14, 2019  - “How’s the writing going,” my dear brother asked.

         “Not well.”

         I will use one of my favorite lines I shout at myself – mentally, not aloud – What was I thinking?

         I downsized my computer desk to a raised desk which I am discovering is simply too small for me.  I thought it was a good idea at the time, getting rid of the executive style wrap around desk with credenza for a bistro bar that has two bar stools. 

         The new bar – now desk top has my two flat screens, my speakers, a yellow sticky note holder, a Delft cup with pens and pencils and my mouse and key board and nothing else.  It is merely 22 inches deep and 40 inches wide. There is hardly room for a coffee cup or a copy stand – unless you want either to fight with the wireless mouse.

         I am honestly not comfortable.  The stools are uncomfortable – not on the back, but the buttocks where they seem to want to cut off the circulation to my legs and feet.

         I’ve suffered it out for the last month or so – but today I ordered a new draftsman type chair – adjustable. Maybe that will help, maybe that will allow for proper foot circulation, maybe that will enable me to sit at my computer and type like the old days . . . for hours at a stint.  That sure is my hope.

         So, my writing has not been going well even though I have plenty of ideas.  I’ve plenty of stuff I have written in long hand on old fashioned white lined pads in the last several weeks, but it hasn’t been keyed into the computer yet. So changes won’t be forth coming soon.

         I am in a stall which I created myself and I am trying to creatively get out of that stall.

         I didn’t realize that I was 100% married to that executive desk – even though it wasn’t the right size for this house.

         And, not certain the raised chair will work, I also put into place a second option. I’ve ordered a lap desk that would rest over the arms of a dining room chair. I can prop my feet on an ottoman and kick back and relax . . . that seems silly – but it might work out better.

         Meanwhile, we have the Writers’ Workshop coming up at our local college in April, and that should inspire me as well as another class I have signed up for just for “kicks and giggles”.

         That class is Copperplate Calligraphy – series of 5 evening classes given by The Visual Arts Center.  When I am done with that class, I will probably write out my monthly bills the “old fashioned way” with nib and bottle of ink. 

         Maybe my personal “John Hancock” [signature] will actually look like what he signed on the Declaration of Independence.  We will see . . . I will keep you posted.

         “OHH . . . I wonder if my bank will cash my check with the new signature?”  - Maybe that will be my next: “What was I thinking?”




Tuesday, April 18, 2017

April 18, 2017 – They can’t read their own handwriting?

        In the last two weeks I have witnessed several examples of poor penmanship or handwriting.  One person couldn’t even read their own writing.  I actually blushed with embarrassment for that person as we were at a Writer’s Seminar. They were aware we were going to pass our handwritten “writing exercise” to a fellow student to critique.  Wouldn’t you think they would have taken more care in their penmanship?

        As you can probably tell, I was taught “penmanship” by an actual penmanship teacher in grade school.  People of a certain “age” usually have handwriting skills.  Additionally, families of certain incomes have good handwriting skills.[I am not being a snob; that is reality.]

When I was in school handwriting was taken seriously.  But, not these days when everyone wants to replace handwriting with “technology”.  Typing skills versus handwriting skills are constantly being pitted against each other.

I don’t think it is a male vs. female thing either.  I once worked for an Attorney [male] who had classic penmanship.  His signature was similar to John Hancock. I actually looked forward to any change he made in red pen so that I could admire his penmanship.

From my own experience and from internet searching – handwriting skills are extremely important in order that you are successful in life. 

I found the best way to improve your handwriting skills is to purchase an inexpensive calligraphy kit and send out Christmas cards.  Learn by doing and you will be surprised how your handwriting changes when you next write out the grocery list.

What I have heard and read about good handwriting:       

Poor handwriting is the main cause of underachievement.

Handwriting is about the brain, not the hand.

Good handwriting leads to improved grades.

The pen empowers you.

Handwriting captures your personality on paper.

Handwriting aids us in our lifelong learning.

Writing things by hand makes you smarter as it improves your reading and spelling scores.

People judge the quality of your IDEAS by the quality of your handwriting – not on the content.

Good handwriting can raise test scores from the 50th percentile to the 84th percentile.

I was given a tip in college: Be sure to use your best handwriting on your essay tests – it is the easiest way to bump up your grades.

Handwriting is meditative.

Penmanship improves your creativity.

Want to know how healthy you are? Look no further than your signature.

      The last comment made me think of my Mom:

        The first thing my Mom did when she awoke from her open heart quadruple bypass surgery was ask for a pen and paper.  She immediately started to write her ABCs and 123s.  My Mom, the well-known letter writer, was more concerned about her handwriting skills than anything else in the first few days after heart surgery. 

        I was hundreds of miles away when my Mom was in the hospital, and was kept up to date by telephone calls from Dad on a daily basis while she was recuperating in ICU.  When Dad told me about her wanting to write I understood immediately.  Her whole life she has kept in touch with family and friends through her letters, she didn’t want to lose that skill.

        Below are a two websites.  The first is a 16 minute video by Jake Weidmann, Master Penman.

        The second has additoinal information regarding penmanship.   






        As for my handwriting, next I am going to learn “flourishes”.