Finally! Now to put it all to work.
(and of course keep the drills going)
What I see in different shades of gray, from behind my reading glasses
Finally! Now to put it all to work.
(and of course keep the drills going)
It’s way too late in the day, and I can’t go to bed without at least a few drills done. Not the usual volume – everything today has had to be shortened for various reasons. A small step is better than none at all.
Getting to the end of the alphabet now – and l tried to recollect every one I’ve done so far. More practice needed, obviously!
Slow and steady…
I’m cheatingĀ a little bit today with writing and calligraphy the focus at once: the day is packed with weekend activities coming back after months of lockdown, and I will likely not have the time to write later.
Regardless of the style of handwriting, the foundational elements are identical. The mind’s ability to perceive the shape, the muscles of the fingers, arm and shoulders working in tandem to execute the shape, and the eye’s ability to identify the difference between the two shapes, while the rest of the body supports a seamless flow of energy and stability.
The drills today have been a combination of trying out different postures to pull off the ovals and shapes. Using the little finger as the supportĀ while the muscles of the lower arm use the table’s edge as a fulcrum to move smoothly across the page was the attempt. The first few attempts at speed turn to scrawls. Slowing down a little but keeping the posture improved things a tiny bit. Keeping the pace and adjusting how I sat. Increasing the pace with the change in posture. There are so many nuanced variables to try out here to find the right combination for me that I cannot see how I can stop this extraordinarily satisfying hobby.
The book says
Take up one exercise or form at a time and stick to it until you have mastered it, or at least made substantial improvements. As a rule, two or three pages at least should be devoted to a form before going ahead. Not infrequently it is necessary to cover several sheets with a form before improvement is shown. Improvement is more the result of critical observation and careful effect than prolonged but indiscriminate practice.
One page is all I could muster tonight. A few more pages over the weekend for sure.
Getting closer to the end of the alphabet and seeing some progress over the last few weeks is encouraging.
Definitely time to change the pen!