Ready to write?
Yesterday we put together a practice notebook. Today we’re going to start writing.
Write alphabets in print and in cursive. Jot a few sentences. Create a grocery or shopping list. Write silly words!
Don’t over think it.
The idea behind this assignment is to get a good sample of your natural handwriting. What does your print look like? What about your cursive? Is your natural hand a blend of the two? Mine is!
We’ll go into deeper analysis later, today just get some letters and words on the page.
You don’t fill the page completely, just jot stuff down.
I start the page by dating it and adding the assignment name. I also like to note which pen(s) I’m using.
Leave a little space between the lines you write, because we’re going to come back to this page in a couple of days. Just be sure to get down a variety of words (hence the shopping list). Toss in some numbers, too. We want to have a good sample base.
This is a super short assignment that is simply meant to get natural samples of your regular handwriting. We’ll come back later in the month to observe some of the changes we’ve made.
What are some of the areas you’ve found that need some improvement?
Be sure to use the hashtag #LoveYourLettering when you post on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram so we can see how you’re doing. See the index of the full series here:
Waiting for day 4
I can not write in small squares..lol… I need a suggestion, with micropens the thickness of the pen is also very thin which is very difficult for my very bad hands. I am not a quitter, do you know of a more comfortable pen?
Do you have a ballpoint, gel, or fountain pen that is particularly comfortable for you? These early handwriting assignments can be done in any pens that works for you. Have you ever tried using a pen grip to help alleviate hand pain? I haven’t used one, but was searching to see what is available: http://amzn.to/1OZn6Ss
I’m just starting today on the actual assignments and hope to get caught up soon. I have lots of questions, but I know you’re busy so I’ll just ask one. Do you sit at a table to do this? I prefer to sit in my Nest (as my husband calls it) at the end of the sofa to do my knitting, bible study, coloring, etc.
I’ve been sitting at my desk to work on these assignments, but I letter on my lap at church. Whatever is most comfortable for you should work, however, when we begin to play with some of the other pens it may be helpful to have a tv tray or small lap desk to work on.
Just saw your response on Twitter. I rarely get on Twitter so forgive me for not saying that you before now!
I’ll admit, I often miss the Twitter notifications, too. :/
I’m all caught up with you. I am on Instagram under Goldgirlmk. I’ve been creating Journals to sell at a Bazaar. On the first page I’m putting a quote practicing my lettering. Having so much fun!!!
Awesome, Mary Kay. Thanks for joining us!
Hi Lisa,
I’m excited to join the #loveyourlettering challenge, albeit a little late. I’m hoping to play a lot of catch up this weekend.
I recently started keeping a non-digital journal and it annoys me that my current handwriting looks like that of a child who is just learning how to write. It’s a bit of an embarrassment really. I’m hoping that this course will get me to slow down, practice, and improve my handwriting.
Did this lesson have a Periscope video? I’m new to the Periscope thing so I’m not quite sure where to look and I’m not seeing an embedded video in the post. I did the lesson, just wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anything.
Thanks!
Katherine
Hi Katherine. I was traveling last week, so our chat on Periscope was quick and a little off topic. I’ve added it to the post, thanks for reminding me.
…and thanks for joining us. I hope you enjoy the challenge. Each assignment is pretty short, so catching up should be fairly easy. Feel free to ask any questions along the way, especially if there’s something specific you’d like to see covered in on of our Periscope chats.
I’m straggling way behind…January 25, 2016…and enjoying your course. Having an illness in my family I want to do something expressive, creative, and at hand. Hope to make a fabulous spiritual journal. Thank you for your open site and generosity.
Thank you so much for your encouragement. It is my great privilege to share with you all.
Margaret, I do hope it is a great blessing to you. Thank you for your kind words.
I am super behind 😉 Found you through humorous homemaking on instagram. So I used to be a teacher in a former life before children 🙂 And I was taught two different ways to write (so I could teach) DNealian (the print with the curvy ends) and Zaner Bloser (stick and ball style letters) and my actual approach from day to day is a combo of those as well as a combo of print and cursive. So when I sit down to do this later not sure how to approach it. When I do something like this I do either both or should I choose one style?
Hi and welcome. My natural handwriting is quite a blend, too. I would say to just write and not over-analyze it. Each style that we go over through the series introduces different variations, so I would just move forward with whatever comes most naturally and comfortable. The main purpose for this exercise is to have a starting point for the pieces we’ll alter later. Let me know If I can help in any way.
For this assignment, were we supposed to analyze our lettering or do we do that in another lesson later on?
The purpose was to give us a visual starting point to look at the areas of our own writing that we’re seeking to improve.
Hi Lisa, I am really late starting – March 24! I am really looking forward to this series. Thank you!
Welcome, Cindy. Let me know if I can help with anything.
Hi Lisa, I just discovered your blog and “Love your lettering, part 1” yesterday thru Pinterest. I’m waaaaaay behind but will eventually catch up.
I want to thank you for your generosity in making this series available to us — I can’t imagine how you find the time.
Hi Laura. Welcome and thank you so much for the encouragement. It is my privilege to share this with you. But definitely don’t be fooled, I’m failing in a bunch of other areas right now while I write the series. 😉 Just keeping it real. In November I’ll have a lot of housework to catch up on. Ha!
Also starting very late but what a great series. Already made my book and purchased the pens. Thank you so much for doing this.
You’re very welcome. I hope to replace the videos with updated versions soon.
Wow that would be great thank you so much
Wow thT would be great!!!
Thank you so much for all you do.
Lisa, first of all, this is so amazing! I am very excited to use all of these videos. I am a sophomore in college, so this is relevant for allll age groups. I have one question though; does the way you hold your pen affect the writing? I hold my pen in an abnormal way that involves using my thumb, index, and middle finger in holding the pencil (the pencil rests on my fourth finger). Most people don’t do this, so their writing flows more smoothly. All that to say, do I need to train myself to write in a different way, or do you think it is irrelevant to penmanship? I greatly appreciate you doing this. It is a blast and unique and I am so excited to continue!
Hi Ashlyn, thanks for your encouragement. As far as your grip, I’m a lefty and have found it was easier for me to concentrate on finding the positions that feel most comfortable for me, instead of working on a grip that didn’t feel natural. The idea is to reduce the strain. Depending on which type of pen I’m using, I do change the position the paper’s position. I’m constantly experimenting with small changes. The more regularly you practice, the more comfortable it gets!
Two years late, but right on time with the calendar!! I just did the first two lessons today so I’m officially caught up! Thank you so much for making this available!
I found you through BoldTurquoise.com’s Heart in Hand Challenge.
Welcome! You’re never late, you’re right where you should be. 😉 Let me know if you have any questions, I’m always here to help.