Introduction to Calligraphy Supplies and Techniques with Rajiv Surendra and Mike Ward (Spencerian)

Video Description

Rajiv has been professionally practicing calligraphy for over ten years, but he was a kid when he was first introduced to this art form. Today Rajiv is joined by a master, Mike Ward, @MrMGWard whose skills and methods are an inspiration to anyone looking to learn the basics of calligraphy. If you're interested in learning more, please visit www.iampeth.com and consider joining the society and attending their annual conference for in-person lessons! Check out Mike's website, https://mrmgward.com/ and follow him on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mrmgward/ 🔴 RECOMMENDED VIDEOS/PLAYLISTS 🎥 VIDEO: My Updated Apartment Tour: https://youtu.be/cwurWeffwNA 🎥 VIDEO: Tidying Your Mind: https://youtu.be/2-cyLX2eAn0 🎥 VIDEO: How to Wash your Whites: https://youtu.be/R87SIgGC20k 🎥 VIDEO: Wrapping Gifts Using No Tape: https://youtu.be/vm3dR4jhImU 🎥 VIDEO: How To Walk In Public: https://youtu.be/J8ekcTmj9SI 🎥 LIST: Rajiv Surendra's Playlist Season 1: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8oeCSojnMR42JWN44vX_hmJ0xCF1ZLG- ★ TABLE OF CONTENTS ★ • 0:11 The world of calligraphy • 4:19 Introducing Mike Ward • 5:05 Materials and inks needed to write a letter • 8:05 Pens have become the Harry Potter wands • 10:00 Flexibility of the nib to get the angles needed for ornamental or Spencerian • 11:00 Release the kraken holder and the Ollivander's of pen holders and nib holders •14:29 Nib very important to the style of writing •16:45 Leather blotter as a cushioned surface for writing importance •18:55 Rajiv’s pen •20:03 Prepare the nib with a clean mouth •22:00 Most common beginner issue is the prep •25:00 How to sit for calligraphy •26:00 Writing warmups with a guide sheet with lines •28:30 Watch the writing form to keep same angles •30:00 Ovals then push-pulls •32:00 hairline strokes and shaded strokes •35:00 It’s not about speed, it’s fluidity of movement •36:00 Clockwise to make indirect ovals in Spencerian •38:30 English Roundhand style was before Spencerian •41:00 Writing a letter example using Spencerian techniques •46:30 Examples of the swell •49:10 Architectural points on the letter determines the shade below the base line •55:10 Ratio of large letters is 3X the height of small letters and examples •57:00 Watching Calligraphy in process is art in itself- examples •1:04:00 Mike Ward’s livestream for technical questions 💡 TOPICS IN THIS VIDEO 💡 • The World of penmanship • Setting up to begin writing • Ornamental or Spencerian script • Walnut ink iron gall ink • Nib holder built for a specific grip and a specific person • Pen holders • Flange gives angled nib and an oblique holder • Lego holder style • Contrast between thick and thin lines with different nibs as key to the process • The Leonard principle • Iron gall ink rough on nibs • When you push the ink into the paper it is nice if the paper softens with your movements • Using a cushioned surface • Use saliva to prepare and clean the nib • Wooden ink jar holders • Every time you open the ink jar clean the lid with 2 wipes • The arm form doesn’t change, the paper does • Check if the bead is fully covering the nib • Push strokes and broad strokes • Declaration of Independence was written in English Roundhand • Downstroke overturns and under turns and under curves examples • Determining compound curves and architectural points in writing each letter • When you are writing you cannot stop • Marie Antoinette’s wedding certificate story • Sometimes the mistakes in calligraphy are the beauty and the important part If you enjoy Rajiv's videos and would like to see more, please contribute to the gofundme campaign that is raising the funds to produce the content on this channel: https://gofund.me/fbcb3a22 ✅ Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/rajivsurendra ✅ TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@Rajivsurendra_ ✅ Twitter: http://twitter.com/RajivSurendra 🔴 *** ABOUT THIS CHANNEL *** Welcome to my YouTube Channel! I've been immersed in the creative and domestic arts for all my life and its a real honor to be sharing my interests with you. Click here to subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/rajivsurendra 🔎 HASHTAGS #calligraphy #Rajivsurendra #calligraphylettering