Calligraphy is likely to be better if we’re writing words that matter to us. The fact that the words are meaningful to us somehow translates into better rhythm as we create the piece on the page. While alphabet sentences have...
"Even after many years of practice, I still look at a finished piece and see flaws in spacing between letters. Do you have any tips for correcting this?" There are two issues here. The first is that I don’t believe...
Professional calligrapher Janet Smith shares some of her favourite tips from sitting comfortably to having a break from your calligraphy! If you’re of a certain age, you may recognise that phrase, from the start of Listen With Mother, a 15 minute radio show...
So far, all the Copperplate minuscules we have studied were based on a combination of the 8 basic strokes although in most cases these strokes had to be modified. There are only seven letters left to study, but these are...
Before continuing with the Copperplate Minuscules you need to know how to produce a filled-in dot. This filled-in dot or loop shape appears in several letters. The nib is moved in an anti-clockwise direction. As it approaches the top and...
The majority of Copperplate minuscules are constructed from a combination of one or more basic strokes. After studying and practising the eight basic strokes, we are ready to start learning the letters. Many of the letters require the basic strokes...
Letter ProportionThe proportions of the minuscule letters and the angle of slope are the two essential visual components of Copperplate minuscule. Copperplate has a standard relationship between the ascender, x-height and descender parts of the minuscule letters. In general the...
A Copperplate Facebook cover photo was designed for us by Rachel Yallop. This time ‘Scribblers Calligraphy’ has been written in a wonderfully flourished Copperplate style. Here, Rachel describes how she developed her ideas and fine-tuned the design to produce a very...
Whilst designing a Facebook cover photo, Rachel Yallop. kindly agreed to make notes, to give us a better understanding of how a professional lettering artist approaches and creates such a lively and eye-catching piece of work. I’ve recently rediscovered the Zig...
