Copperplate Script - The Wiggle

[@mohammadazhar4156]

As someone who is attempting to teach themselves calligraphy these little videos are a godsend. Thank you. Looking forward to learning more.

[@xyzct]

Paul, as an intelligent person with autism and OCD, I feel for your marvel and incredulity around the issue of the wiggle. In this video you sound exactly like I do on about a dozen different issues per day day. To those with high attention to detail and high proprioception, the blunter souls can really test one's sanity.

[@PAScribe]

xyzct but it is this level of attention which helps with the exactness of the craft. So many have replied to this post with shock, as once the wiggle is pointed out, a dramatic shift occurs in the writing of the script.

[@xyzct]

@@PAScribe, I think my love of exactness has found a new home. It's interesting to look back at my lifelong attraction to beautiful writing. When I was in say 3rd or 4th grade, the Catholic nun teaching handwriting made what I thought was such a profound comment: that one's handwriting should be treated with absolute reverence, because it was the very sign of one's life. Since then I always loved my handwriting. I subsequently went on to get a degree in physics, and so of course hand-wrote countless pages of mathematical formulae. I was obsessed with making those pages as perfect as possible because I always found the symbols, letters, and numbers so lovely -- especially the integral sign, which looks rather like the line of universal beauty. Currently I paint with watercolor, and draw with India ink, and now am very excited to enter into calligraphy. I have, and ordered more supplies, have been watching your videos, and last night ordered your manual. I shall look forward to learning from you. Cheers! Paul Northern Oregon coast

[@evelynwald9132]

Guilty as charged! Thanks so much for your insight. I do see how my letters don't look quite right after I'm finished writing. For me, I can get lost in the joy of putting the pen to paper and watching the ink come out to create letters. Sometimes, I can be so mesmerized by watching the process that I end up making spelling mistakes. Best one was when I wrote Calligraphraphy to practice. As always your insights are so helpful to this amateur. Thank you for sharing.

[@carolexo7269]

The nib placement is the solution to overcoming the wiggle. Bravo! Thank you💗

[@nadynebuck901]

I teach sewing, in particular, heirloom sewing. Understanding the equipment and how it relates to your body is 60% of accomplishment. I love your teaching because you make us aware of the equipment (nib placement) and how it relates to body position and function. This kind of teaching separates you from the rest of the crowd. Thank you for your professionalism!

[@simonintokyo]

i love the annoyance. shows such passion. love this channel. thanks!

[@pinkpinsofpain]

Your comment about not being ready to learn or see is soooo true. Can't tell you how many times I've realized that in different situations.

[@PennyPage123]

Excellent explanation of problems, its nice to have this. You have really hit the nail on the head. Thank you

[@arlenepadden1243]

Amazing videos by an incredible penman. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise.

[@kimkeiko]

Oh my goodness!!! Thanks so much for this information! The light went on for me.

[@tony.kmullinsstudio818]

I just learned more about writing a "p" in the last 18 minutes than in the last four years of practicing calligraphy. :)

[@PAScribe]

Tony .K Mullins Photography & Fine Art glad it helped.

[@xyzct]

I'd give you an "A" ... but I'm still working on it.

[@Britineyj]

This is SOOO good. So enlightening. Can't wait to try. Thanks, Paul.

[@ColbyClinePenholders]

Thank you so much for this video! You're 110% correct about not being able to realise something until you're ready. I've been struggling with that wiggle for the past few months and I just haven't been able to figure out why it was happening. The same thing with the pressure at the top of the stroke. I think I'm confused with the position of the page on the table. I'm going to go review your three videos. Also, I'm working in a typography class and I'm making a 8 page booklet on Copperplate's anatomy! It's really giving me a deeper understanding by organizing everything into groups! Wish me luck! :D

[@margot1palomino]

Gracias Paul. Hay que practicar mucho.

[@josetrinh]

Thank you! Very thoughtful and practical!

[@carlastewart5424]

"The line of universal beauty" balances Life Itself 🤗 LOVE IT! say it again; And it has to be just so... you are a true scribe, making sure each letter measure the correct height and depth. In ancient times, skilled copyists of the Hebrew Scriptures, or Sopherim, were very careful in their work and regarding mistakes with terror. As time went on they became extremely meticulously, going as far as to count not only the words copied but the letters also. Attention to detail is sorely needed to master the art! May I be like that, and thank yu for practice sheets. Looking forward to more tips of trade, hopefully I can get the book!!😍

[@tinabenavides1214]

Wonderful as usual, Paul!

[@elichan7919]

Thank you so much Paul. I've been struggling with the wiggles and I know it's a huge problem in my writings that's contributing to the imbalance of spacing between letters. I know where the lines should be placed but I guess I don't have enough muscles memory to get onto that place for the lines! Oh this is depressing. Definitely I should practice more with a peaceful mind.

[@OhDetty]

Thankyou Paul I needed this

[@robinread2250]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge, it’s more appreciated than you can imagine. I watched one of you clips, and it has confused me. Can not find the clip now, but you mention that oblique pens were developed for Spencerian. I have been using the blue book “ Mastering Copperplate Calligraphy” by Eleanor Winters. On page 21, third last paragraph it says “Oblique pen holders, made especially for copperplate,……” Please clarify. This not a challenge, I want to know why you mention this.

[@PAScribe]

It is a reasonable question so ask yourself when did English Roundhand develop (1600), Copperplate developed out of that (1850) were there oblique quills in the 1600s, 1700s or 1800 -1870? The oblique holder was developed by Spencerian practitioners for Spencerian but conscripted for Engrossers and Engravers, but not for English Copperplate

[@Oksana5971]

Thank you Paul! This helps a lot.

[@natashajohnson186]

I’ve just started in my calligraphy life , and in my drills I see these mistakes , I know they’re mistakes but I didn’t know how to correct them or wether to acknowledge them . So I’ve watched another video of yours and I’m self correcting . In the last two weeks I’ve come down harder REALLY looking for mistakes . And I’m not upset when I find them I have an internal dialogue going , asking ; why did I do that ? Was I concentrating here? Or why did I think it was ok to repeat that! Needless to say there’s a lot less drills but ALOT of red marks on the drills that are . So I know what you mean about people not being ready to get IT . I’m not delusional I know I still don’t have it , I’m new . I guess this is my way of saying thank you. Thank you Paul for your care and patience .

[@harshindorkar8879]

Thank you Paul.

[@margot1palomino]

Gracias Paul.

[@DeadbatteryVT1300]

LOOK AT THE NIB !!! lol perfect, very good advice .

[@PauloParreira]

So simple and so right.

[@christophermooyer7555]

I have a question: I have a habit of turning the paper so that I’m writing on the 55 degrees, but the 55 degrees is oriented straight up and down to myself. Is that wrong? It seems to work for me..... but that’s the thing with bad habits.....hindsight is always much clearer. 🧐😜

[@PAScribe]

It doesn’t matter the page angle as long as the nib is pointing in that direction so it can spread on either side of the axis.

[@eqtathadani5453]

When i am holding pen or pencil at an angle, i feel i do not have complete control over it.. but i gotta get used to it thank you

[@minali2897]

Help me a lot! Thanks!!

[@druida16]

This video was so important to me...thank you a lot.Excuse me to make a request?Is there any kind of exercise to improve solidity of our hands?To avoid those disturbing little shakings caused by fatigue or enthusiasm..

[@PAScribe]

druida16 use Muscular Movement and will help to stabilise the shakiness.

[@romelmadray6706]

curious to know what pen is that?Is that a fountain pen with a flexible nib?

[@pollyweinmann5082]

Will you be coming to Florida?

[@PAScribe]

Polly Weinmann not on this trip

[@mehwishkhurshid9757]

U r all time favourite

[@felisarestrepo9519]

Buenas tardes, sus videos son excelentes pero quiero saber si ustedes pueden hacerlos en español para escuchar las explicaciones, le agradezco su atención, Dios lo bendiga siempre y espero su respuesta gracias 👋👋👋👋🌹🙅✍️🙏🙏🙏

[@closerlookbooks]

I appreciate your videos on KZbin. If I may make a suggestion on why students do not “get it” it may be because they have not acquired an “eye” for it. I have another hobby as well painting miniature figures. I took my wife to a show one time and she thought that some of the worst painted figures looked great. She hasn’t stared at figures for years or tried painting them like others. The same thing with my calligraphy. She is ready to frame the first piece I do for her. I think it looks horrible. The fact is, she doesn’t have an eye for it. When I first began studying calligraphy, my instructor encouraged me to keep every piece I did, even practice sheets so I could see my progress down the road. There are pieces I thought I “got it” but years later I looked at those pieces realizing I didn’t know what I was talking about. Just a thought.

[@PAScribe]

I am glad you like the content. I always tell students they will only see it when they go back and start over. I try to encourage them to do this once a year with a script. A big part of it is looking and actually seeing what is there. This takes time, patience, study and practise. Keep up the good work work your practice. It would be good to see some of your work in tandem with your calligraphy

[@y.m.2672]

Thank you so much.

[@trapzarus6719]

width of the second m. in corners

[@felisarestrepo9519]

Buenos días, he visto muchos videos suyos y todos me parecen excelentes pero quisiera que los tradujera a español para escuchar sus explicaciones, Gracias 🇨🇴🙏🙏🙏✍️✍️✍️💐👋👋👋🖐️

[@hemessy7306]

Thanks a lot !

[@shahopishro9293]

🌹🌹

[@dzucherato]

👏👏👏👏👏👌👌👌👌

[@MarkNiceyard]

Oh my... problems of a young teacher. :D

[@PAScribe]

What do you mean?

[@MarkNiceyard]

@@PAScribe I refer to your fanatical enthusiasm. Please note the smiley! Seriously your attention to detail of the work itself and to teaching is absolutely great. More power to your vids!

[@VC-cb9pt]

I appreciate the video, im learning a lot... but i would understand why some of your students would not learn, it’s the way you’re teaching. The way you way you speak, the tone. Ive had profs like you in law school. Brilliant lawyers but not very good teachers. I hope im making sense. This is not to negatively criticise but a feedback.

[@PAScribe]

Mvc C nope. You are wrong there. The problem is not with my tone. It is not to do with the way I teach, you need to listen to the video again. It is to do with the basic understanding of the tools a f materials. When you go to university you have to do ‘Strokes 101’ before you can do ‘strokes 404’. People want to start at 404! They don’t want to put the basic work in. Remember it is not just the strokes, it is also the tools, the paper, the ink. But also it is about listening. This is evident by your post. I talked about the problem and you heard something, but did you listen? Did you understand or did you just assume. I am glad you are learning a lot from the videos but you are responsible for your own improvement. YOU have to learn how to do this. This is not the teacher’s responsibility, especially if you are learning from a random video. I hope that clears up what I was trying to get across in the video.

[@PAScribe]

Mvc C I was rereading your message and I think you comparing learning law to calligraphy is erroneous. Calligraphy is a practical skill, you need to have good posture, breathing, tool control, material culture. You can read in any position you like, you can study however it works for you, not so with a practical skill like calligraphy. There are thing you MUST do in order to get better, physical things, muscular memory things.

[@vandl107]

Really? Typical of a Lawyer lolololol