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“Let’s Get to the Point” was the November SDFC weekend workshop with Linda Hirsch. The subject was America’s own Engrosser’s Script, known to many as “Copperplate.” While this script requires the calligrapher’s basic tools: pen, ink and paper; being particular about tool selection makes all the difference in practicing this hand.
“This beautiful form of pen art is basically an American twist on the old English Round Hand script so wonderfully represented by Bickham’s The Universal Penman(sic).”(Linda Hirsch “Workshop in Engrosser’s Script Outline” p.1) Copperplate became such a practical tool in the United States that scribes went to school (the most well known was Zanerian) to learn it and were then employed in the business world. While typewriters changed the need for Engrosser’s script, it has remained a prominent artistic hand.
Linda gave us a brief history of the hand that included some of the more prominent calligraphers who specialize in Engrosser’s Script. In the workshop room she had displayed books and work in Copperplate. Those who specialize in this script have created inks, penholders, books and exercises to enhance their calligraphic work. These tools are all available to Copperplate learners through “Pen and Ink Arts,” “John Neal…” and “IAMPETH.”
Saturday’s task was the lower case alphabet and experimentation with several inks and nibs. We tried McCaffery’s, Walker’s and Sumi inks. Linda also reviewed the best nibs and how to use them in the oblique holder. We used the pointed pen to create the “shades”—down strokes and hairlines”—upstrokes, oval shaped letters and loops. Our handout information and our teacher emphasized the importance of consistency to make this script beautiful.
Sunday’s work was with the capital letters. Linda demonstrated each one and its variations emphasizing the proper stroke technique. She also taught flourishing which requires big arm movements.
IAMPETH is the “International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers and Teachers of and writing.” Their mission is to teach the use of the pointed pen to all levels of learners and to keep the Copperplate script alive. IAMPETH has a quarterly magazine which addresses the art and craft of pointed pen. Their website includes information about their membership and their annual summer convention.
If you missed this great weekend workshop or want to know more about pointed pen calligraphy from Linda Hirsch’s fellow calligraphers, consider attending their convention this July in Chicago. Another feature of this convention is the display of historic works of Engrosser’s Script.
Armed with a multi-page handout, ductus (is the plural ducti?) super ink and vintage nibs those of us who attended the Copperplate workshop are prepared with the supplies and knowledge to create beautiful writing with the pointed pen.
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