the question has been asked: have i ever used guide lines for the vertical strokes. yes, if you practice on graph paper, you can use the vertical blue lines as guide lines. when i attempt copperplate, i am really bad at keeping a consistent slant, so, if it is an important piece, i will pencil in all the slant lines. if i wanted to do a *perfectly* straight up and and down grid piece, i would fur shur pencil in the guide lines.
but.....i also have spent hours (days) working towards the ability to make perfect strokes. so, when my dream comes true and i hold the calligraphic olympics, one of the events will be to see who can make the most perfect page of straight strokes. i'm sure i won't win, but, i will have fun competing.
most of the time beginners try to make straight up and down strokes with their paper at a slant. think about it, if you are right handed, you probably always tilt your paper at an angle when you write. so, it does not occur to people to place the paper square in front of them and be looking at the paper straight up and down as you pull the straight up and down vertical strokes.
often times, turning the paper to a straight up and down position will improve the straightness of the verticals about 90%
position of paper plays a big role. even tilting your head will make a difference if you are working on a slant. if you look back to the Megan envelope, i did that one with the envelope straight. sometimes i do scripts at a slant, but i need a base line penciled in if i want the name straight on the envelope.
and, do not hold the marker too close to the tip. and, your elbow will tuck in closer to your body as you position the nib on the top line to pull down with the straight vertical stroke
One nifty item- a laminated set of guides that fit snuggly into common envelope sizes. That way, unless they are extremely opaque, you can put them on the light table and not have to erase guidemarks on the front of your envelope.
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