On Handwriting

[nowcomplete]

Gentlemen,
I have recently (or have subconsciously known, but this is the first time to acknowledge it) come to the realization that my handwriting is horrible. I realized that I can't do script, and my print is abysmal. (I blame it on being a lefty and college note-taking) But when I come across someone that has excellent handwriting, I'm so jealous and outclassed. Handwriting used to be such an art form! When I look through my grandfather and great grandfather's letters, the beauty of it just blows my mind.
Does anyone know of a book on handwriting that I can get some practice in? My wife has a few old shorthand training books around, and I was wondering whether they made the same type thing but for script.

Thanks!

[rickboone1]

Google Kate Gladstone and take a lesson. Get the book, "Write Now".

[nowcomplete]

thank you! i'm excited about this!

[the_edski]

I feel your pain. I am also a lefty, can't do cursive and have abysmal print from too much rushed college note-taking. I've been working on improving my handwriting and all I can say is practice, practice, practice! We have alot of bad habits to break!


Gentlemen,
I have recently (or have subconsciously known, but this is the first time to acknowledge it) come to the realization that my handwriting is horrible. I realized that I can't do script, and my print is abysmal. (I blame it on being a lefty and college note-taking) But when I come across someone that has excellent handwriting, I'm so jealous and outclassed. Handwriting used to be such an art form! When I look through my grandfather and great grandfather's letters, the beauty of it just blows my mind.
Does anyone know of a book on handwriting that I can get some practice in? My wife has a few old shorthand training books around, and I was wondering whether they made the same type thing but for script.

Thanks!

[ChefJohnBoy-ardee]

I started freee writing whatever popped into my head each night. I could fill three or four pages for the longest time. I get compliments on my writing all the time now. Practice is the key :)

[mark the shoeshine boy]

I started freee writing whatever popped into my head each night. I could fill three or four pages for the longest time. I get compliments on my writing all the time now. Practice is the key :)

i agree...let your thoughts flow to whatever is on your mind or heart....except the real hot babe that sat on your desk and it wasnt your wife....even your speech will improve....

[braucast]

Write Now by Barbara Getty and Inga Dubay
Italic Letters - Calligraphy & Handwriting by Inga Dubay and Barbara Getty

Both are excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[whitelily]

Write Now by Barbara Getty and Inga Dubay
Italic Letters - Calligraphy & Handwriting by Inga Dubay and Barbara Getty

Both are excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

+1 !!

[mdove47]

IIRC this is what we learned in parochial school. The nuns were sticklers for good handwriting.


http://palmermethod.com/faq/ (http://palmermethod.com/faq/)

[VladTepes]

I can;t find that Write Now book anywhere...

... except Amazon and they reckin its worth $169 new !! What the ?

[Alacrity59]

I think Nemo posted a link to Palmer's penmanship budget a while back. Pretty much how I was taught back in the 60's.

[Legion]

I think Nemo posted a link to Palmer's penmanship budget a while back. Pretty much how I was taught back in the 60's.

+1. I downloaded the palmer method of business writing and did the drills, I think it helped some.

[erudolph]

I just ordered that "Write Now" book on the sometimes-forgotten art of handwriting from another sometimes-forgotten resource: the library. I bet there aren't too many requests for it ahead of mine.:lemo:

[Ray Guy]

Another link with The Palmer Method PDFs

http://www.iampeth.com/books/palmer_method_1935/palmerMethod_1935_index.php (http://www.iampeth.com/books/palmer_method_1935/palmerMethod_1935_index.php)

[VladTepes]

Some more on that same site, interesting articles

http://www.iampeth.com/text_docs.php

[Mike H]

Another one I like...

Ames Guide to Self Instruction
Practical and Artistic Penmanship (http://www.iampeth.com/ADOBE_PDFs/Ames%20Guide%20to%20Self-Instruction.pdf)

[jrm]

Hello all,

I'm new here and have just found this sub-forum. What a wonderful place! It looks like this is going to be a place where I can ask questions that I didn't know where to ask!

I have horrible handwriting. It is uneven, small, messy, and unintelligible to most. I have a few unique aspects to my writing that I love (simple things like the way I connect my "t" and "h", etc...) but nothing great. These things I like are things I inherited from watching my dad write as a kid. Our penmanship has a lot in common, but his is so much better. When I go back and look at things he's written to me, I'm impressed by his style.

I've long wanted to improve my penmanship. I love to write. I love the tactile feel of the pen on the page. I love the way that hand-writing makes me be more intentional with my thoughts. Also, professionally, I am a graphic designer and I love the simple beauty in good handwriting. However, after I write, a page full of notes I look at it and think "Ugh... what a mess".

Anyways, I'm looking to improve my handwriting. Are there courses, books, exercises, videos, tips, etc... that you might point me towards?

-jon

[cpowill]

Jon, I too have been wanting to improve my handwriting. I am going to start by going back to the basics with a first or second grade writing book to practice my letters and words. I am going to see if I can find a pad like I had in grade school with the dashed line splitting the space. I have a new fountain pen and want to be able to use it with skill, well more finess than skill. I will keep watch on this thread to see what suggestions.

Just know you aren't alone.

R/
Will

[hotreds]

People with good handwriting can be counted on your fingers.

[Alacrity59]

Practice makes perfect. Join the snail mail group . . . send a PM to BrianW. Anybody who want's to send me a note will get one back (to the best of my ability . . . and I've not missed returning a note yet)

[N2theBreech]

I was fortunate to have a man from the Netherlands as my 8th grade teacher who was a stickler for handwriting. He taught us to write a page full of practice writing, turn the page around and hold it up to light, looking at it from the back. For some reason it let's you get a really good sense of the consistency of the slant of the letters and overall uniformity and evenness of the letters and spacing.

[Oregoneon]

Being a lefty and many years of graffiti writing (both on paper and elsewhere) have left me with a unique (if sometimes difficult to read) handwriting. I'm always looking at lettering on advertising and people's script and playing with letters and such. i have to think about writing "normal" letters when i have to. I really should re-learn the classic writing style and work on it. I also noticed i picked up certain lettering from my father who had a unique style of writing that i've subconsciously picked up.