Abecedarian sentences were used in medieval times to practice newly learned calligraphic alphabets. Practice this example: The very quill which was next shaped by my knife into a pen justly dropped from a zealous angel's wing. |
"Letters have a value apart from what they signify, a provate inwardness of graphic beauty.." ~ Alduous |
| Always try to use either waterproof or non-waterproof (water soluble) ink. Waterproof, also known as India, contains shellac which does not smear from dampness after drying. This type of ink is meant for use with dipping pens. | To prevent ink from "feathering" or bleeding try to make it a habit to use a cover sheet or even a kleenex for your hand to rest on while writing. You can also use a old but clean white glove with the thumb, index and middle fingers cut off. |
| Be sure to always replace the cap on your fountain pen each time you lay it down. I also found that unless you have a special pen holder (humidor) to keep your pen's ink wet, laying the pen on it's side seems to help with keeping the ink flowing also. | For practicing calligraphy, any smooth bond paper is fine. Glossy papers may repel ink. If you have to use these, try rubbing the area with a kneable eraser first to creat a mat finish to write on. |
| Household bleach can be used as ink for writing on colored papers or blotting papers. You can also create some very interesting effects with it but remember, it does irreparable damage to paper so such projects should be reserved only for temporary art or art for reproduction. | "Just as the camera freed the artist to new possibilities, the printing press freed calligraphy." ~Ann Hechle |