Learn Calligraphy
The Pen
|
HistoryHistory of Writing |
ShoppingCalligraphy Shop UK
|
Links
Link to Me
|
ContactContact Us |
Calligraphy ForumA place to discuss your calligraphy experiences |
Site Updated: 25 May, 2010 |
© 2000-
| ||||
Roundhand or Foundational hand
ROUNDHAND or FOUNDATIONAL hand is based on lettering from 10th century manuscripts,
mainly from the Ramsey Psalter (left). There are strong similarities to the main
forms of the Roman style. Capital letters were not originally used in Roundhand and
it was some time before Roman capitals were used at the beginning of sentences and
for names, as they are now.
The letters are based on a circular letter 'O', hence the name Roundhand, and the pen is generally held at a 30 degree angle. The top serifs are slightly larger than the ones at the base, repeating the idea (as with Italic lettering) that the eye tends to concentrate on the top 1/3 of a line of writing.
I repeat, these are my own versions of these alphabets and I have added the slope to this version of ROUNDHAND. Strictly speaking it is an upright form of letter and is not so compressed as the letters I have penned here. As the name implies it is a rounded hand.
Blackletter (or Gothic) >>
