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Can you recommend ways to get better? You’ve inspired me but do I just start practicing based on stuff I see online or do you have a book or site you like?
This specific script is Spencerian. It was the primary form of writing in the US in the mid to late 1800's, so unfortunately that's when the manual was written. It's not the easiest read, but everything about the script can be found here.
The basic general tips I can give you for any style of writing is strive for consistency and practice diligently. Go slow, do plenty of warm ups and drills, and just practice, practice, practice. Consistent letters come from consistent movement.
This is how we learned to write cursive when I was young. We wrote it on this kind of lined paper and we wrote it large just like this. As we got more proficient over the years we wrote smaller.
This looks just like the penmanship examples in our copy work books from when I was quite young and in school over 65 years ago. In other words, quite perfect looking!
ETA: Also I like that your penmanship looks relaxed and normal, not restricted, tight, ornate like some examples on this forum.
(PS, a minor detail but the M in movements should not be capitalized.)
So I've been told before that my punctuation marks are not large enough and it seems I forgot to address that. Movements is actually the start of a new sentence, but I just didn't realize how small the proceeding period was until now. I'll make sure I work on that.
Yes make the periods a bit larger and darker. You don't just make q quick dot. You have to kind of stop and make it a bit bigger and darker than just a quick dot. But don't make it too big and dark.
Oh yes, I did not see the periods. If this is the start of a new sentence then yes the M in movements should be capitalized.
Also it is a bit hard to read because of the lined paper. Which is the same kind of paper we used in school to learn penmanship so many years ago. It is a good way to practice.
Your writing does not look ornate or ornamental. It is good basic cursive. I was taught cursive by the nuns in my Catholic school over 65 years ago and they would not tolerate excessive or too fancy writing. We were taught basic proper penmanship. Like you are doing.
Also I can read your writing very well and can go quite fast with it as I read. This is how people communicated back in the day. We wrote everything out. Except for formal occasional type written documents which was rare. Or the newspapers and magazines.
I still write my grocery lists and notes to myself, or anything I write, in cursive. It is easier and quicker than typing it out on my phone or laptop. Or even printing it by hand, cursive is quicker.
“...fluid yet well controlled” sounds weird. “Yet” I always equate with some type of contradictory statement: hard, yet supple. Now that I’ve said my quiet part out loud that no one needed to hear or cares about, I’ll go.
Edit: btw, I want to take your handwriting to dinner
So, the idea here is that fluid doesn't mean loose and sloppy, and a high level of control doesn't mean being stiff and rigid. You want the pen to move in a smooth, flowing motion, but you should still be in full control the entire time.
Looking good, brother! How are you feeling about the movement? Seems to be coming along. Any thoughts on pacing? Hitting that slant after the long push for the loops?
Thank you! Your feedback was the catalyst for the extra study and practice, so I'm glad some progress is showing.
I'm sure it's no coincidence that you mention the pacing because getting the timing and balance of which muscles to engage and when has been the biggest task. The margins are very slim and required a fair amount of trial and error to get down, but I feel fairly confident about it after a few months. I feel like there weren't very many resources that go in-depth about this particular aspect, so I might try writing up my interpretation at some point and see what insight and feedback it receives. Learning in a vacuum can be tough sometimes.
It will still take quite a while for me to clean up the actual movements, particularly the whole-arm strokes for majuscules, but I think it's a decent improvement. I'd like to be able to confidently produce an exemplar within the next two years, so the practice continues!
I'm really glad to hear that. You're right, too; the more voices we can have sharing firsthand experience learning this stuff, the better. I'd love to read whatever you write about it.
Yeah, but many people don't want to take the time to read it. My dad had beautiful cursive writing and would get mad because I got a "C" in penmanship. Yup, that used to be a course in elementary school.
Hey /u/SooperBrootal,
Make sure that your post meets our Submission Guidelines, or it will be subject to removal.
Tell us a bit about your submission or ask specific questions to help guide feedback from other users. If your submission is regarding a traditional handwriting style include a reference to the source exemplar you are learning from. The ball is in your court to start the conversation.
If you're just looking to improve your handwriting, telling us a bit about your goals can help us to tailor our feedback to your unique situation. See our general advice.
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Good day! Could you send me a PM regarding your practice sheet, please. I wish to procure some sheets for myself. Thank you
I'll actually leave this here for visibility. The site is listed on the bottom of the sheet www.lanquach.com
https://preview.redd.it/dnvan5a4uk6g1.jpeg?width=2549&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ec0dabe46850b34deba1428ba889328122bdcb51
Here are the settings used in this particular post, which is tailored for Spencerian Script. Change the different sliders and options to fit your specific needs.
Saved for later
OH ... MY .... F***ING .... I LOVE IT
Give anyone enough scaffolding, I guess…
It looks very artistic!
☺️☺️☺️☺️
Great job!
This is beautiful, but I'm having a hard time seeing the unconnected Ps.
Nice to see someone using the 2nd slant properly. 30 degree connector stroke
This made me ovulate
Can you recommend ways to get better? You’ve inspired me but do I just start practicing based on stuff I see online or do you have a book or site you like?
This specific script is Spencerian. It was the primary form of writing in the US in the mid to late 1800's, so unfortunately that's when the manual was written. It's not the easiest read, but everything about the script can be found here.
The basic general tips I can give you for any style of writing is strive for consistency and practice diligently. Go slow, do plenty of warm ups and drills, and just practice, practice, practice. Consistent letters come from consistent movement.
Sweet jesus, could you write any bigger? lol
This is how we learned to write cursive when I was young. We wrote it on this kind of lined paper and we wrote it large just like this. As we got more proficient over the years we wrote smaller.
MY FAVORITE!
Love, love, love your work here!
Beautiful!
This looks just like the penmanship examples in our copy work books from when I was quite young and in school over 65 years ago. In other words, quite perfect looking!
ETA: Also I like that your penmanship looks relaxed and normal, not restricted, tight, ornate like some examples on this forum.
(PS, a minor detail but the M in movements should not be capitalized.)
So I've been told before that my punctuation marks are not large enough and it seems I forgot to address that. Movements is actually the start of a new sentence, but I just didn't realize how small the proceeding period was until now. I'll make sure I work on that.
Yes make the periods a bit larger and darker. You don't just make q quick dot. You have to kind of stop and make it a bit bigger and darker than just a quick dot. But don't make it too big and dark.
Oh yes, I did not see the periods. If this is the start of a new sentence then yes the M in movements should be capitalized.
Also it is a bit hard to read because of the lined paper. Which is the same kind of paper we used in school to learn penmanship so many years ago. It is a good way to practice.
[deleted]
Yeah, writing has changed quite a bit since the 1800's, so you definitely wouldn't be writing notes at work with ornamental penmanship.
Your writing does not look ornate or ornamental. It is good basic cursive. I was taught cursive by the nuns in my Catholic school over 65 years ago and they would not tolerate excessive or too fancy writing. We were taught basic proper penmanship. Like you are doing.
Also I can read your writing very well and can go quite fast with it as I read. This is how people communicated back in the day. We wrote everything out. Except for formal occasional type written documents which was rare. Or the newspapers and magazines.
I still write my grocery lists and notes to myself, or anything I write, in cursive. It is easier and quicker than typing it out on my phone or laptop. Or even printing it by hand, cursive is quicker.
That Looks really Great, i am so jealous
“...fluid yet well controlled” sounds weird. “Yet” I always equate with some type of contradictory statement: hard, yet supple. Now that I’ve said my quiet part out loud that no one needed to hear or cares about, I’ll go.
Edit: btw, I want to take your handwriting to dinner
Thank you for the comment! 😂
So, the idea here is that fluid doesn't mean loose and sloppy, and a high level of control doesn't mean being stiff and rigid. You want the pen to move in a smooth, flowing motion, but you should still be in full control the entire time.
Great going!
Looking good, brother! How are you feeling about the movement? Seems to be coming along. Any thoughts on pacing? Hitting that slant after the long push for the loops?
Thank you! Your feedback was the catalyst for the extra study and practice, so I'm glad some progress is showing.
I'm sure it's no coincidence that you mention the pacing because getting the timing and balance of which muscles to engage and when has been the biggest task. The margins are very slim and required a fair amount of trial and error to get down, but I feel fairly confident about it after a few months. I feel like there weren't very many resources that go in-depth about this particular aspect, so I might try writing up my interpretation at some point and see what insight and feedback it receives. Learning in a vacuum can be tough sometimes.
It will still take quite a while for me to clean up the actual movements, particularly the whole-arm strokes for majuscules, but I think it's a decent improvement. I'd like to be able to confidently produce an exemplar within the next two years, so the practice continues!
I'm really glad to hear that. You're right, too; the more voices we can have sharing firsthand experience learning this stuff, the better. I'd love to read whatever you write about it.
Yeah, but many people don't want to take the time to read it. My dad had beautiful cursive writing and would get mad because I got a "C" in penmanship. Yup, that used to be a course in elementary school.
Was going to ask about your practice sheet and saw the link. What a cool link!
I'm glad I made sure to get it in the picture this time!
Im in love. How pleasing to the eye
Gorgeous.
¡guau!
Stunning
Looks great to me! Well done!