Adventures in Modern Calligraphy #2

After being pretty pleased with my attempts at modern calligraphy using a felt tip pen I decided to try using a nib pen and ink.

From what I read on the internet I thought using this kind of pen would be difficult for me as a left-hander, but I was suprised to find that wasn't the case. Perhaps because I learnt a long time ago how to hold my pen so I don't smudge the ink. (I was taught by the guy in the Left Handed Shop in London which I'm not even sure exists anymore. It's where I bought my favourite left-handed scissors and a left-handed ruler).

Like my first attempts, I practised by copying calligraphy alphabets. I drew out guidelines in pencil to help me with the sizing of the letters. I love how these joined up ones looks.

To apply what I'd learnt I wrote a simple phrase and then painted a watercolour wreath around it because the internet is all about these at the moment, right? I can see why though; it looks so cool!

Adventures in Modern Calligraphy

 I think it's fair to say the blogosphere is a fan of modern calligraphy and it's all over Pinterest. So I wanted to give it a try because it looks so cool. I started by googling 'modern calligraphy alphabet' and copying the letters.

I did a bit of research and watched a few youtube videos before making my first attempts. The method I chose to use is a two-pen approach. This was due to lack of proper equipment more than anything. First I draw the whole letter with a fine Berol marker, then I go over the down strokes with a broad Berol marker, to emmulate the way a nibbed pen and ink looks.

I roughly drew out guidelines in pencil which helped a lot. I drew three lines; one for the letters to sit on, one for the tall letters to go up to, and one for the 'tails' to hit (I'm sure there are proper terms for these elements). It kinda took me back to handwriting practice in Year 4. 

 I copied a few different fonts. My hope is that with enough practice I'll be able to form fancy looking words without needing to copy. Studying other fonts helps me get away from my own handwriting which isn't fancy at all!

 I also wanted to try out joined up letters as I think words look better this way, especially with flicks and flourishes on the ends of letters.

Time to apply my practice to a quote!

Next I need to look at fancy capital letters and maybe I'll get on to using a proper brush pen or nib pen.