Flourish Friday - IAMPETH Reflections: Script in the Copperplate Style with Dr. Joe Vitolo

My first class at the 2012 IAMPETH convention was Script in the Copperplate Style: Engrosser's Script with Dr. Joe Vitolo.  The class was wonderful, and Dr. Joe is an excellent instructor.  My script has become such a hybrid of various scripts, and it's always good to immerse myself in the fundamentals of a particular alphabet. (Above and below is this morning's practice.)  I appreciate the time and scrutiny that Joe has given to the letterforms.  His attention to the fine details is amazing.  Remember when figure skating in the Olympics included "compulsory" scores?  The skaters were judged on how well they cut certain figures on the ice.  It seemed very technical and precise. No loosey goosey figure eights.  I really don't know much about figure skating, but I think Joe continually rocks it in the script compulsories. :) 

Joe gave us three different sized guidelines to use.  Using a large guideline really helps me see the areas I need to work on more easily.  Joe has made the guidelines available as a pdf on the IAMPETH website.  Joe recommends working on Kodak Bright White printer paper.  I used Hammermill Color Copy Digital paper, because that is what I had on hand. To print some for yourself, CLICK HERE. 

(If the link doesn't work, go to www.iampeth.com and click on Lessons>Copperplate/Engrosser's Script>Guidelines used in the video clips below)

The class was a full day. We covered the lower case and the upper case, and I went through LOADS of paper. To me, Engrosser's Script is very different from the Copperplate most of us know.  There are many more pen lifts in Engrosser's Script.  The first time I saw Bill Lilly do Engrosser's Script, I was really surprised at how it seemed he was engraving rather than writing.  

There were so many wonderful people in the class. Unfortunately, I didn't get a good photo of Dr. Joe. You can just barely see him in the photo above. He is sitting and answering student's questions during the break.

I was sandwiched between two sweethearts. It was great to reconnect with Jody Meese. She sat on my left.  And on my right, pictured above, was Janet Weidmann.  In the photo, Janet is holding her beautiful penholder - handcrafted especially for her by ubertalented son, Jake, also pictured.  (In a future post, I'll share about Jake's class at IAMPETH.)

Here is Jody Meese's Driftwood Dinky Dip Holder made by talented artist, calligrapher, and fellow blogger, Jo Miller.  View more of Jo's Dinky Dip holders at her Etsy shop by CLICKING HERE.

In addition to all the notes and videos Dr. Joe has made available on the IAMPETH website, he has all this information available as an iBook. You can learn more at Joe's "Zanerian" website:  CLICK HERE.

I think we all owe Dr. Joe a debt of gratitude for all he has done to ensure that anyone has access to quality and historically accurate script instruction for no charge!!

I am all uploaded and linked out for one day.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Go forth and flourish!

xo