Calligraphy 101

I thought I knew.  My DIY calligraphy belonged to the wildlings.  Mine was like knowing how to get food into my mouth with spoon and fork  but not really knowing how to use the utensils properly. What goes on behind or underneath the art of a beautifully handwritten piece is a product of science and discipline.

There is a proper way to insert the nib into the holder.
There is a technique in dipping and keeping some ink in the "reservoir" that is a part of the nib.
In cleaning the nib, care must be taken not to dip the wooden part of the holder if the holder is made of wood of course.
Oh the discipline of dipping the nib, cleaning it, wiping with a cotton rag, closing the lid of the ink bottle, and repeat.

practice sheet  heavy hand.  Rx: practice. practice. practice

There is a certain angle that one must observe in calligraphy writing.  Compound curve does not apply to our body.  It is a basic line in calligraphy.  Rising stroke is a thin line so you lift the pen just a little bit.  Downward stroke is done with a little pressure or with more pr some pressure.  Timing is of great importance.  Pause then proceed.  Press then let go. Is this not also some basic lessons in life?

Keep your back straight, find the correct distance of your upper torso from the table to allow your arm to relax, pivot and whip!! "Relax, pivot and whip" are my wild words and not from my proper  pretty teacher.

There was a doctor in our class and she is definitely going to make prescription writing one top act with her calligraphy!

Since we were all into different careers and interests, we hope to improve our representation with beautiful handwriting!

Teacher Marie can be compared to a skilled swordsman. Her strokes are decisive, graceful and precise!  The ambiance in the House of Queens, pizza and the charmingly funny and lovely classmates today in Calligraphy 101 made me thank God all the more for Fridays.


( i have a long way to go... So much to learn. Practice, practice, practice)