Doris Fullgrabe

Introduction to Copperplate Calligraphy

Hi Kim, thanks so much for sharing your project! Can I just say what a lovely pen holder you have? Gorgeous!! I also see you've already self-edited some of the parallel lines and the spaces - well done! From what I can tell you might want to focus your next practice session on upstrokes. The downstrokes already look pretty great, especially thinning out just before the curve (that was always my biggest issue LOL). :-) Let me know if you have questions or concerns. Keep up the practice and I'm sure you'll reach your IAMPETH goal in no time!

Anything specific to look for or focus on for the upstrokes as I practice?

Well, for form: that the nib is hitting the paper on the bulbiest area of the tines, not at too steep of an angle. Like the pad of your finger where your fingerprint is, not the nail. And then of course very light pressure - which might make the line a little jittery, but practice helps.  And for function (obviously totally nitpicking here, so feel free to tell me to eff off): In the line of t's there are a few that lean a little left, like they round back to the stem, and in the u's and w's the instroke seems a little flat for some of them. :-)

I appreciate the 'nitpicking' - that is what will help me improve. Practicing the same incorrect stroke is only going to perfect the incorrect stroke! Thank you for the feedback.

Kim, this looks careful and well practiced. Such a solid beginning 🙂

I have always adored Copperplate calligraphy but have shied away from it thinking the rules would be too precise to learn. The draw to it is too strong to continue to ignore - learning it this year with the hopes of submitting to IAMPETH for certification. Big dreams this year!
<img srcset="https://static.skillshare.com/uploads/discussion/tmp/8649383e.jpg 600w, https://static.skillshare.com/uploads/discussion/tmp/8649383e.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 600px, 100vw" src="https://static.skillshare.com/uploads/discussion/tmp/8649383e.jpg" loading="lazy" alt="Beginning Copperplate - image 1 - student project">

Beginning Copperplate

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