For many years the hand which we know today as ‘Copperplate’ was called ‘Roundhand’. Unfortunately that name is now sometimes used by calligraphers as an alternative for the ‘Foundational Hand’ first developed and popularised by Edward Johnston. The style is...
So far, all the Copperplate minuscules we have studied were based on a combination of the 8 basic strokes although in most cases these strokes had to be modified. There are only seven letters left to study, but these are...
Before continuing with the Copperplate Minuscules you need to know how to produce a filled-in dot. This filled-in dot or loop shape appears in several letters. The nib is moved in an anti-clockwise direction. As it approaches the top and...
The majority of Copperplate minuscules are constructed from a combination of one or more basic strokes. After studying and practising the eight basic strokes, we are ready to start learning the letters. Many of the letters require the basic strokes...
Letter ProportionThe proportions of the minuscule letters and the angle of slope are the two essential visual components of Copperplate minuscule. Copperplate has a standard relationship between the ascender, x-height and descender parts of the minuscule letters. In general the...
A Copperplate Facebook cover photo was designed for us by Rachel Yallop. This time ‘Scribblers Calligraphy’ has been written in a wonderfully flourished Copperplate style. Here, Rachel describes how she developed her ideas and fine-tuned the design to produce a very...
Specialised equipment is required for Copperplate writing. Nibs You need to use a pointed nib for Copperplate, which does not have a reservoir. The most commonly used nibs in the UK are probably the Leonardt Principal EF, Gillott 170, 303 and 404.Others...
