Life Blood of Calligraphy - Scriptorium 3

Scriptorium Rules:

1. Find a good place to work - where the light is good and the table or desk is the right height.
2. Set up your desk so that it can stay set up - or so that everything is at hand and it will only take a few minutes to set up.
3. Rule up four folios (double spread sheets) on both sides. The size should match the nib # thta you are most comfortable with: e.g. A3 folded in half to A4 for 5mm x height  If you use a much smaller nib e.g. Wm.M#5you can have a smaller page as I did in the example above.
4. Plan to work for between 15 minutes and 25 minutes but definitely not longer or you'll overdo it and run out of steam.
5. Write every day.
6. Date your work in pencil at the bottom or wherever you stop. Tiny date, sharp pencil.
7. Use good quality paper. 
8. Find some inspiring words to copy. Photocopy it so that you aren't hassling with a paperback book.
9. Have one sheet of rough paper - but the same good quality paper - ruled up the same size. Write about a line to warm up a little and see that the nib is behaving. use it again the next day. and the next.
10. Use good ink or at any rate ink that you like writing with. - Japanese stick ink is my favourite but that is a blog post on its own.
11. Don't be distracted by adding fancy decoration - this is about rhythm which comes with repetition.
12. Now and again check your work by holding it in front of a mirror. This way you'll dissociate and see the rhythm.
13. If your slant is irregular, draw some parallel slant lines - or vertical lines, if doing Foundational or Uncials.
14. When you are really comfortable with your writing perhaps you could rule up the next folio for a smaller nib size. 
15. Most important: If you are finding that you get tense, hold a pencil tightly in your left or non writing hand. This will help you hold the pen more lightly.
16. Lastly and most importantly: Smile at your work. Be gentle to yourself. Don't beat yourself up and shake your head at what you are doing. Feel the love of what you are doing. Relax your shoulders. Look out of the window and find something beautiful. 
17. Rejoice in your calligraphy, in the shiny black wet marks on the pristine paper. Fill your writing with love.

---

Share||