We are losing some important forms of self-expression—handwriting and “artistic penmanship”.
Typefaces and the resulting digital fonts are wonderful, but fewer and fewer of us understand and appreciate typography with an underlying understanding and appreciation of refined handwriting and artistic penmanship.
I’m guessing that most typeface designers will tell you is that the shapes, styles, proportions, and placement they use are all influenced, substantially, by the study of the relationship of those characteristics in fine handwriting and penmanship.
To see what I mean, I point you to International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting (IAMPETH). It is an excellent resource for helping you whet your pen…
The image above is from the May 1897 edition of the Penman’s Art Journal.
A collection of out-of-print books on calligraphy and penmanship in PDF form…
Some issues of the Penman’s Journal…
Posted in March 2021 / Chuck Green is the principal of Logic Arts, a design and marketing firm, a contributor to numerous magazines and websites, and the author of books published by Random House, Peachpit Press, and Rockport Publishers. All rights reserved. Copyright 2007-2021 Chuck Green/Logic Arts Corporation.Contact.
Thank you. Today’s children have no idea of how to even read cursive writing. I used to have very good penmanship back in the day. However it’s all gone now and I miss it so bad. My hands have failed me so now I’m left typing or using a pen holder to write. Its not very good but I still get the job done.