Ok. I thought it would be romantic to learn how to use a fountain pen. So I bought a set with instruction books and practice paper and pens. Yeah. Not so much romantic and more like NOT fun at all! Maybe I should give it some more time and I am being a perfectionist and too impatient. I just had notions about how my pen would flow over the page and create wonderful letters. It is really closer to fits and starts with a lot of blotting in between, oh, and the cramping from trying to hold your hand at a constant 45 degree angle. All I can say is thank goodness for computer fonts, 'cause I don't really see me mastering this craft! LOL!!
I hope everyone is having a wonderful Thursday. We are staying inside out of the cold (high today in the 30's!) and continuing to recuperate. Thank you everyone for all your sweet get well notes:) The boys are holding steady which is good and I slept through the night last night which is beyond good:)
"...for a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin-real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served or a debt to be paid. THEN life would begin.
At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."
~Daisaku Ikeda
7 comments:
Jamie--I use my daughter's email address for etsy (l-o-n-g story!) so your message reached me via her. No problem about the order--I read your blog daily, so I knew you were all sick. Take care, take good care, and y'all get better! (If you ever need to get in touch with me in a hurry, I am at jellisy at cox dot net)
ok, well the good news is: your nails look fabulous!!! the other good news is that i think your writing looks very nice indeed:)
Don't hold the pen too tightly, and be patient. You're trying to teach your brain a new language in the artistic centres-- it's not an instant gratification exercise.
Hi Jamie,
That's calligraphy you're trying. It is actually a form of drawing which takes a lot of practice. By the way, your writing is very good.
Get a regular fountain pen and you will sail away.
Regards,
Hank
Thank you so much Hank! It's italic calligraphy to be exact but I didn't want anyone to think I was actually writing correctly! Didn't want to embarrass the art form. LOLOL!! You should see the previous 20 pages or so of my sloppy practice. Where can I get a good fountain pen? Any tips would be appreciated.
Love, Jamie
Just let the pen relax in your hand. Hold it lower and you'll find it more comfortable. You could probably find some Parkers, Sheaffers and/or Waterman fountain pens at any Office Depot or other stationary store. Or there's always the internet. pendemonium.com or even some good sellers on ebay come to mind(speerbob etc) :)
Thanks AJ!!!! I do so want to do it well. You sound like an experienced Calligrapher. I would love to see your work. I was reading an article by Sharon Hardwick and she had an awesome quote about people who want the effect without the discipline.
"The fountain pen, and cut of the nib, is merely the tool. In the same way that a person wouldn't expect to be able to just pick up a violin and play beautifully, so is it with fountain pens and calligraphy."
~Sharon Hardwick
I am very willing and have only been practicing for a few weeks. My post was partly tongue in cheek at my frustration. Thank you so much for the resources:)
Love, Jamie
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