ROMAN STYLE CALLIGRAPHY

Calligraphy is lettering in its Sunday best. Its beauty is in fluidity of line, varied thin and thickness of stroke, Italic form and sometimes, very decorative flourishes (curvilinear lines which curl and wrap in rhythmic directions).

Here, we'll use lettering pen points and ink to explore the font styles previously practiced in pencil. We begin with ROMAN STYLE and learn how to use the pen and display it properly.

In using all Roman pen points, this rule must be followed: hold the pen at a 45 degree angle to the paper at all times.(See 1st frame of animation.) Rest the palm of the hand on the paper and move the fingers in any direction keeping the pen always in the same position.

It's easy to see why Roman Style is called "thick and thin" lettering. As demonstrated above, every downstroke inks the full width of the pen point, and on every upstroke the ink glides on only the edges. The right letter samples show 3 pen point widths we used from C-0 to C-5.

Getting the feel of the pen point requires learning to hold and move it properly. Also, different sizes of pen points require different amounts of ink. Lined computer paper accommodates stroke practices very nicely, and our first exercize was to fill a page with strokes and composite letter shapes. Many calligraphy books offer helpful illustrations on letter spacing, formation and styles. Check out some!

Of course, after practices comes an assignment. To see the completed display, click First Assignment and see how we put a good exercise together!