Scribd
Upload
525 views10 pages

Bain Learningfromscript Designerscornerhsv 2017 PDF

This document provides an overview of the history and development of italic and script handwriting styles. It traces the evolution from 15th century Italian cursive to English Roundhand in the 18th century. Examples show styles from the 19th century like Copperplate and principles of formal pointed pen styles. It also highlights script styles used in commercial contexts in the late 19th/early 20th century by penmen like C.P. Zaner and their use in signage. The document recommends books on script lettering and lists online sources for further information.

Uploaded by

Víctor M González
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
525 views10 pages

Bain Learningfromscript Designerscornerhsv 2017 PDF

This document provides an overview of the history and development of italic and script handwriting styles. It traces the evolution from 15th century Italian cursive to English Roundhand in the 18th century. Examples show styles from the 19th century like Copperplate and principles of formal pointed pen styles. It also highlights script styles used in commercial contexts in the late 19th/early 20th century by penmen like C.P. Zaner and their use in signage. The document recommends books on script lettering and lists online sources for further information.

Uploaded by

Víctor M González
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 10

A sample of italic handwriting or Chancery Cursive, from a manual by Ludovico degli Arrighi, about 1522.

Peter Bain | Learning from Script | 1


English Roundhand in the 18th century, and later 19th and 20th century script styles, such as Spencerian,
share italic cursive as an ancestor.
A selection of flourished capitals from the typeface Bickham Script Regular (designed by Richard Lipton). Peter Bain | Learning from Script | 2
These were directly inspired by letters in “The Universal Penman.” Edited by George Bickham about 1741, this
compilation of work from various writing masters is now a landmark for the English Roundhand style.

A B CDE FG H
IJ KL MN O
P QRS T U V
W XYZ
A B C DE F G H I J K L M N O
P QRST U V W X Y Z
19th century script types from Fonderie G. Renault in Paris. This Copperplate or later Roundhand style, known Peter Bain | Learning from Script | 3
in French as Anglaise, is distinguished by its delicate hairlines, compressed forms, and strong slope. It can be
written with a flexible pointed pen, using variable pressure. It is shown here with the heavier, upright Ronde.
no
Some principles of a formal pointed-pen style script, using Bank Script (designed by James West, 1895). Peter Bain | Learning from Script | 4
Arrows indicate stroke direction. The red parallel lines compare the thicknesses of the downstrokes, which
vary to maintain an even appearance. The interior space of each letter is wider than the heaviest stroke.
D
Capitals in a formal pointed-pen style script feature shapes that can be characterized as ovals, indicated here Peter Bain | Learning from Script | 5
using Bank Script. This ties them to the forms of the small letters; similarly, the heaviest portions also occur on
the downstrokes. The smaller example shows a reversed stroke emphasis, often known as an “Italian” style.
American penman C. P. Zaner created this Roundhand or Engrosser’s Script sample about 1898, and it was Peter Bain | Learning from Script | 6
reproduced in “The New Zanerian Alphabets.” The bold strokes indicate an understanding of commercial
lettering, since heavier scripts were being used in sign writing and advertising.
Zaner placed his script style first in his book, giving detailed instructions, and declaring it a foundational Peter Bain | Learning from Script | 7
style for resolutions, diplomas, letterheads, business cards, and other professional announcements. He distin-
guished it from everyday cursive, noting squared endings that are drawn, and encouraging pen lifts.
An example of script with serif capitals, applied to a program cover design, that references historical sources. Peter Bain | Learning from Script | 8
The culturally prominent New York client would have made this a prestigious commission. It resembles work
by Tommy Thompson, one of the most successful lettering artists working in the mid-20th century.
Scripts were often used on signs during the 20th century. A cursive script for emphasis, combined with sans Peter Bain | Learning from Script | 9
serif as shown here, would be typical. This sign in Birmingham, AL was part of a series, some of which survive
today on the city’s streets.
Recommended books: Peter Bain | Learning from Script | 10

Mastering Copperplate Calligraphy: A Step-by-Step Manual


Eleanor Winters

Scripts: Elegant Lettering from Design’s Golden Age


Steven Heller and Louise Fili

Script Lettering for Artists


Tommy Thompson

The Universal Penman


George Bickham

Online sources:

“La Operina di Ludovico Vicentino, da imparare di scrivere littera https://typekit.com/fonts/bickham-script


Cancellarescha”
(Ludovico degli Arrighi) https://www.myfonts.com/fonts/urw/bank-script/
Internet Archive
https://archive.org/details/laoperinadiludou00arri Also:
International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and
University of Scranton, Weinberg Memorial Library, Helen Gallagher Teachers of Handwriting
McHugh Special Collections https://www.iampeth.com
http://digitalservices.scranton.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/
zanerbloser/id/211/rec/18 Palmer’s Penmanship Budget
https://www.iampeth.com/pdf/palmers-penmanship-budget
Charles Paxton Zaner
University of Scranton, Weinberg Memorial Library, Helen Gallagher https://p22.com/family-Zaner
McHugh Special Collections
http://digitalservices.scranton.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/ https://houseind.com/hi/davison_spencerian
zanerbloser/id/7172/rec/93

“The New Zanerian Alphabets” by C. P. Zaner


https://www.iampeth.com/pdf/new-zanerian-alphabets

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book & Manuscript Library,


Joseph Urban Papers
https://dlc.library.columbia.edu/catalog/ldpd:278816

www.peterbaindesign.com
September 2017

You might also like