From the x-height, we can calculate the ascender and descender space using the proportions. For example, if the x-height is 10mm, the distance between the base and waist is 10mm. This provides the absolute height of the x-height. The proportion is relative, and does not give an indication how large the letters will be. The height of the ascender space is almost always the height of the descender space.Ĭommon ratios include 1:1:1, 2:1:2, 3:2:3. For example, if the x-height is 20mm and the ascender / descender space is 40mm, the ratio would be 2:1:2 (ascender : x-height : descender). This provides the ratio of the height of the ascender / descender space to the x-height. Please note that the lines only indicate the angle which you should be writing, not the width of each letter, nor where letters should be placed. The slant line provides the angle at which your letters should be slanted. Letters which extend beyond the height of x should extend into the ascender or descender. All lower-case which are the same height as the letter x should be written in the x-height region, with the top and bottom of the letter touching the waist and base line respectively. The concept of guide lines in copperplate calligraphy is quite simple. Therefore, we have developed these guide-sheets for you to print, so that you may write directly on these sheets. I dislike this method as well, as your eye now has to focus more on trying to look through the paper at the guidelines, rather than focusing on the letters you are writing. The alternative to using these pads usually involve printing one single guide-sheet, then over-laying this with paper translucent enough to see the lines behind. This is way too small for practise, especially with a G nib, and using 2 squares (10mm) is slightly bigger than what most people are comfortable with. Secondly, these pads usually come with a spacing of 5mm between horizontal ‘lines’. Disclaimer: When I say calligraphy, I actually only refer to the subset, copperplate.įirst and foremost, copperplate scripts require a consistent slant on all letters, and this slant is not printed on the pads. While I cannot deny the fact that these papers are extremely ink-friendly, I opine that using these pads for practise do not provide the best environment for learning calligraphy. As a result, many calligraphers use these paper for practice, especially the Rhodia dot or grid pad. As is expected, popular brands such as Rhodia and Clairefontaine (interestingly, these two brands belong to the same group, ‘Clairefontaine-Rhodia’) usually emerge winners. Undeniably, one topic which always arises in a calli-conversation is that on paper-which paper does not bleed nor feather, how GSM affects the quality of writing, etc.
How to do copperplate calligraphy download#
Click here to download our guide-sheets and exemplars.Ĭalligraphers love talking tools.