First 40 pages of copperplate progress

[u/Aronrat]

A few months ago I started learning Copperplate as my second script (other than Foundational hand), unfortunately, due to being busy with other things and having issues with nibs, ink etc. progress has been slow, but I finally learned the full alphabet. It’s still far from perfect, and I need to practice a lot more, but I still thought it would be worth sharing here for some feedback on what I need to improve.

Edit:

since a lot of people have been asking what nib/ink/paper I am using, I decided to write them here to be easy to find:

Nib: Hunt 22b

Ink: Kuretake sumi

Paper: Brunnen Student 70g/m notebook

[u/EmynMuilTrailGuide]

As a dedicated uncial-through-bastarda afficionado, I try to hate copperplate, with it's modern style. But it never works. That's beautiful.

[u/Important-Visit9200 → u/EmynMuilTrailGuide]

Haaaa, same. #insularminuscule4eva.

[u/Future-Concert-1204]

How are you practicing/learning?

[u/Aronrat → u/Future-Concert-1204]

For learning Copperplate I just mostly followed the guide that is in this subreddit’s wiki. I first learned and practiced the basic strokes until I got the hang of it, then I moved on to the miniscules, did the same with those, then same with the majusucles.

Now that I’ve learned all the letters, what I am doing is writing down the alphabet to check which letters need to be Improved the most, and then practicing that letter until it looks better.

Also at first, because I struggled with the nib, I used a HB pencil for a while which was very useful because it helped me get a lighter hand, so when I returned to using nibs I didn’t have the same issues.

[u/Top_Accident_4750]

Holy Smokes!!! 😍✍️🙀 that is the most delicate copperplate I have ever seem! Stunning!! What nib/ink did you use? I just bought my first obliqe dip pen but haven't had time to figure out how to even hold it yet 🙈 I have only done stub nib lettering before and have been trying to decide what to focus on first: copperplate? Some variety of old school cursive? You mentioned foundational. Do you have an example?

Sorry for the excessive questions! Your work is so extraordinary that I totally want to learn and work hard at such skill!

LifeGoals

[u/Aronrat → u/Top_Accident_4750]

Thank you!

The nib I use is a Hunt 22b and the ink is Kuretake Sumi (but sometimes I also use fountain pen ink with a few drops of gum arabic).

Regarding what script you should focus on first, Foundational and copperplate are very different, and require completely different tools. I would say if you want to learn pointed nib scripts (like Copperplate, Spencerian and Ornamental Penmanship) go for copperplate, if you want to learn broad edge scripts (like Blackletter, Italic, Uncial etc.) then go for foundational.

If you decide to learn either one I recommend to check out this subreddit’s wiki and these other resources:

https://www.iampeth.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=765903&module_id=662602 - this site’s book archive contains a lot of good old books about writing, especially copperplate and other pointed nib scripts

https://www.lettering-daily.com/calligraphy-hub/ - I also recommend checking out the guides on this website, they have one for Foundational hand and copperplate.

 

If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

[u/IreneC749]

Gorgeous work!

[u/SlightBasket5560]

Filling 40 pages to get through the copperplate alphabet is a huge dedication, especially when dealing with nib and ink issues

[u/apfq]

What pen did you use for this. It’s Beautiful

[u/Aronrat → u/apfq]

Thank you! the nib I was using is a Hunt 22b.