Re-learning to Write

I've decided to re-teach myself how to write. I've purchased a beautiful calligraphy kit via Emilie Friday (check out her beautifully written "Blushing Pearl" she enclosed in my package), as well as Spencerian practice books found on Amazon. My penmanship comes close to chicken scratch... literally! I've always admired the penmanship of a typography professor in college who was VERY old skool. In a way, he drove me insane and his class was probably the only class I learned from because I had to re-do multiple assignments only to receive the same letter grade. He definitely "whipped me into shape" as a graphic artist. At the time, David Carson was defying all the rules of the graphic design world with his barely readable type and distorted layouts. A few magazine headers David Carson was known for were "Raygun" and "Surfer" magazines. He was "all over the grid system" as my one professor told us. Little did my professor know, David Carson is what drove me to be an aspiring graphic artist. My professor taught us that graphic artists should always stay within the lines. We weren't considered fine artists and we were not mathematical architects. My professor was a calligrapher/typographer. When he would write on the chalkboard, his penmanship looked Spencerian, perfect... even with chalk.

This month I have had the opportunity to design wedding invitation suites for various clients. When they ask about the protocol for addressing envelopes, I explain to them that a handwritten address is the proper social etiquette. Unless they have precise penmanship, people usually turn to printing addresses on labels- it's easy and legible. There are a few calligraphers I've come across that offer their handwritten services towards addressing envelopes or even customizing a wedding invitation. One of them is Grace Edmands Calligraphy.  This is why I am taking it upon myself to try to learn how to write properly, with flourishes and a sense of tradition. I hope to one day be able to address an envelope with perfect penmanship. I hear practice is key to keeping a consistent style of writing and 1 hour of practice a day should work. I have a feeling this will be like teaching an old dog new tricks...

1. Calligraphy kit via Emilie Friday

2. Spencerian Penmanship practice booklet

3. *photo credit: Grace Edmands Calligraphy