Saturday, January 12, 2013

Calligraphy Every Day 11: Simplest italic

In many people's lexicons the word calligraphy means Italic lettering.  But Italic is an approach not just one style.  Here, to start an occasional feature, is a version I call Simplest Italic.  It's enlarged from handwriting that started out about 1/8" tall--that's why it looks so ragged at the edges.  You can see the ink and the paper texture much more clearly than in real life.   

Letter families are crucial to practicing Italic comfortably, rhythmically, and accurately.  The A family includes a c d e g q u y and f; the B family includes b h k m n p r.  Diagonal strokes form s v w x z and part of k.  


1 comment:

  1. I learned the Italic Letters two years ago, when Margaret convinced me to avoid the Palmer. It is easy, elegant and legible.
    God bless you all,
    Estuardo Behrens MD FACS

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