Script in the Copperplate Style
 March 14 and 15, 2009
Rancho Bernardo, CA
Joe shared his passion for the Copperplate Lettering throughout the entire weekend. He suggested using a pencil and shading letters in for practice on our own. The paper we used was Kodak Ultimate Bright White, a universal inkjet paper. He liked many different inks, but the nib seemed to be crucial. He can go through one nib for each page.
He trained us to analyze and slowly draw each letter with perfect ovals and slants, one next to the other. He discussed in detail his understanding of what made the letter perfect, the compound curve on each capital letter and the importance of symmetry of ovals. For example, when flourishing, notice that the ovals are horizontal to the baseline. He gave us some tricks and how to retouch the letter to make it square on top and bottom. The numbers he created were so beautiful, showing us how to create shading and hairlines and how the tynes travel on the paper together or independent from each other.
Joe suggested that the best book to study copperplate is the Zanerian Manual, that can be purchased online through Paper and Ink Arts. Our supply fee covered Joe’s Copperplate workbook and CD, a work in progress that is overflowing with lectures on the nib, the technique and the other tools that can be used.
On Sunday, as he went through flourishing, Joe said, “I’m not a flourisher, I can only do it to a high degree of mediocrity.” He had already impressed us with his mad lettering skills, so we thought that was pretty amusing. Here we were, looking up to him, watching him look up to those before him or other master penmen in IAMPETH. Many of these lectures can also be found today on the IAMPETH website, including Joe’s videos - drawing and explaining each letter of the alphabet, both upper and lower case. Joe also has a website that is called, zanerian.com. He has the masters’ lectures and exemplars that are really beautiful to look at. My favorite page was Zaner’s caps. How perfect each letter is.
Joe was really a treat to be with for those few days. He shared so many techniques with us so we can critique our own work and move past mediocrity with our letters. I have been watching his videos at home now because he was so inspiring, I can’t stop creating those beautiful letters in my mind.
By Mary Grimes
Read more from Mary about IAMPETH and see more Pointed Pen samples
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