Script

LVCIAN · Aug 30, 2017

An early attempt at my name after a week or so of practice based on James Meek's and John Bowman's books.

There are some problems obvious to me after taking a step back from it. The first h is a little thin, the l's are not identical. The r's are different sizes. And the first a in the last name is a little fat.

On top of all that, my first name is all skinny letters and my seconding and third is mostly round shapes. So it's throwing my sense of balance off.

Any thoughts?

Sam · Aug 31, 2017

You have critiqued your design appropriately, and I will give you a standing ovation for your efforts. This is how you learn to draw script lettering, and you can rest assured it will look superior to the rubber stamp script lettering that people transfer from their computers. Your post made my morning. :clapping:

I would encourage you (and me, and everyone) to review calligrapher Dr. Joe Vitolo's thread on the engravers script alphabet which you'll find in the Tips Archive. He covers little things about each letter that I never knew existed.

LVCIAN · Aug 31, 2017

Thank you Sam.
Your encouragement is going to help get me through addressing these issues.

I've found it very difficult trying to ignore the letters and just see the shapes but it's been very rewarding.

Southern Custom · Aug 31, 2017

And this is why I come to the cafe to get work done, and facebook for fun. Most folks would never notice your criticisms. The changes you mention are what turns good lettering into fantastic lettering. I sometimes forget about Meeks book as a reference.

Tim Wells · Aug 31, 2017

Something else that may be helpful is to watch some calligraphy on youtube. I like Calligraphy Masters Seb Lester and in particular Suzanne Cunningham. Watching these people use a nib and ink is as educational as it is therapeutic.

mdengraver · Aug 31, 2017

I appreciate your self-critiques on your work but I'm personally impressed by your progress! Keep up the good work!

Tim Wells · Aug 31, 2017

Another note: Avoid "front loading" capitals like P, B, R and the like. It is a natural tendency to do this but is incorrect. Instead backload the loop behind the upper part of the beauty cut or shade stroke if that makes any sense. Another thing to remember is to maintain a proper proportion or difference in the thick and thin lines. Strive to make the hairlines exactly that, hairlines as that contrast that is created by doing so is a large part of what makes this letter style so elegant.

As you start cutting it in metal, the smaller the letter sizes get, the harder it will be to maintain a proper hairline thickness in proportion to your shades and swells. At some point the hairlines become almost invisible if the letter is small enough. In fact it would be more critical in a smaller sized letter than in a larger one. When you practice in steel, copper or brass you'll see what I mean. I'd almost rather cut script than to cut scroll work, I'm weird like that...

mdengraver · Sep 1, 2017

"Another note: Avoid "front loading" capitals like P, B, R and the like. It is a natural tendency to do this but is incorrect. Instead backload the loop behind the upper part of the beauty cut or shade stroke if that makes any sense" Tim could you show us an example of a right and a wrong way for this so I can better understand!

LVCIAN · Sep 2, 2017

Another attempt, slightly different font than last time. This one flows a bit more logically, a little less flourish. Though I think I like it better.

I focused on my issues from the first attempt (above). I believe I managed to improve on all my previous gripes, though this time around I crowded the first "a" up against the capital "B" in my last name. I'll try to fix this during printing.

Are you all seeing anything I'm not?

mitch · Sep 3, 2017

i'm not anything resembling an expert in script, but at a glance it appears the "a"s in Bartolotta are a little fat, compared to the "p" & "g" and others.

LVCIAN · Sep 3, 2017

And because learning from failure is never something to be ashamed of, here are my very first bright cut letters.

There are a couple things to be proud of here but controlling a flat is much different than controlling a V graver. I'm going to have to cut this a few dozen more times.

These are actually cut in series as drawn but to get good images I had to photograph them in parts.

Any advice?

JMiller · Sep 3, 2017

Looks good LVCIAN, as Tim said I have been watching those on youtube also among others... they are helpful and educational.

LVCIAN · Sep 4, 2017

Ok. Last update on this practice. I promise.
This mornings efforts.

Time to move on to other efforts.

Generally happier with the over all forms and it was interesting to learn how the eventual cutting informs the design of this script.

Are my bright cuts wide enough? I feel like they should be... More. I guess.

Tim Wells · Sep 4, 2017

I'll draw something up and post it soon. I was painting all day long and didn't see this till bed time.
EDIT:
Here's a quick and dirty example of what I meant on the back of today's crossword puzzle. Obviously I need stronger reading glasses. Looks terrible enlarged like that but it illustrates the point.

Watch this video and it will illustrate far better than my crappy scribbling.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF3VjLGtCD8

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