Yet Another Writing Sample (YAWS) - Field Notes "Night Sky" Ink Tests

For the first YAWS of 2014, I wanted to share these ink tests, which were compiled over a period of three months (during which this particular Field Notes notebook was in use). At some point, I will write a big post on Field Notes and how I use them, but for now here are samples of various inks, pens, and nibs on the paper from a "Night Sky" edition Field Notes notebook.

This scan was done on an HP Deskjet F4280 at 600dpi.
Note: Because these scans are done with a light emitting printer, actual colors will, more likely than not, be slightly darker than they may appear, here. The colors shown, here, are probably a bit more reminiscent of what the ink would be like under a bright light or if it were held up and viewed with a light behind it.

Yet Another Writing Sample (YAWS) - Red Inks from Montblanc

Today's writing and ink samples come from a surprise opportunity to sample a number of discontinued Montblanc inks, which are accompanied by some still-available Montblanc inks. The "cookie scented" ink is actually scented with vanilla. Montblanc Bordeaux was the precursor to Montblanc Burgundy Red, and it is no longer available.

(Note: these samples were done with a glass dip pen, which resulted in a great deal of spreading and feathering on this paper, which is from a Field Notes Night Sky notebook.)

This scan was done on an HP Deskjet F4280 at 600dpi.
Note: Because these scans are done with a light emitting printer, actual colors will, more likely than not, be slightly darker than they may appear, here. The colors shown, here, are probably a bit more reminiscent of what the ink would be like under a bright light or if it were held up and viewed with a light behind it.

Yet Another Writing Sample (YAWS) - A Full Page of Moleskine Ink Tests

Long-time readers of this blog will remember the post from last December in which I bemoaned the behavior of many inks with the paper in Moleskine notebooks. However, as I used that notebook, I did two things: 1) I paid attention to how those inks were behaving across an entire page or pages and 2) I placed an ink sample in the back of the notebook for the sake of comparison.

What I found with #1 was that quality of the paper and the behavior of ink on it would vary from page to page, sometimes even in patches on a single page. While unfortunate, this did change my opinion of the Moleskine paper a bit, and I recall having some great writing sessions with that notebook. The results of #2 are what I present to all of you as today's writing sample:

Hopefully, this scan will help those, who are looking at utilizing a Moleskine notebook with their fountain pens and ink! What have your experiences been with Moleskine and fountain pens? Has it changed your opinion of Moleskine (either for better or worse)?

This scan was done on an HP Deskjet F4280 at 600dpi.
Note: Because these scans are done with a light emitting printer, actual colors will, more likely than not, be slightly darker than they may appear, here. The colors shown, here, are probably a bit more reminiscent of what the ink would be like under a bright light or if it were held up and viewed with a light behind it.

Yet Another Writing Sample (YAWS) - An Update!

Hello everyone! Check out this week's YAWS for a writing sample AND an update!

The pen used was a TWSBI Diamond 540 with a Pendleton Point Good Guy nib and Organics Studio Manganate V ink!

Yet Another Writing Sample (YAWS) - Trying Some Different Fonts

Just testing a few fonts from a calligraphy book. These are going to need some practice...

The pen is a Manuscript calligraphy pen with a 4B nib.

Yet Another Writing Sample (YAWS) - Many Thanks

I must present a big thank you to my wonderful pen pal for giving the opportunity to try this fabulous pen. I love Hero brand pens, and one in raden is even more fabulous. A review will be forthcoming, I promise!

Yet Another Writing Sample (YAWS) - Celebrity Names for Writing Practice

I kid you not, these names were chosen by the lesson for writing practice and not by me. Yes, my Cyrillic cursive needs some work, and, yes, that is tea in the top of the photo. Upcoming sample reviews!

Yet Another Writing Sample (YAWS) - Russian Lessons

Here is a quick photo from my notes of working on the Cyrillic alphabet, both print and cursive variants. The pen is a Hero 616 Jumbo and the ink is Hero Black.

Yet Another Writing Sample (YAWS) - German Lessons

Today's writing sample comes from my notes, as I was studying German, earlier this morning. The pen is a Parker Urban GT with medium nib, and the inks are Noodler's North African Violet (purple) and De Atramentis Tchaikovsky (grey).

Yet Another Writing Sample (YAWS) - Or Lack Thereof

Sorry, folks, travels have kept me away from the computer and this blog. For this week's YAWS, I decided to share this snapshot from my desk, offering a hint of things to come...

Would anyone care to hazard a guess as to the inky contents of the two boxes (or as to the pen in the photo, though that is quite a bit easier)?

Yet Another Writing Sample (YAWS) - A New World

Entering the world of vintage pens...

Reviews to come. Sorry for the smudges!

This scan was done on an HP Deskjet F4280 at 600dpi.
Note: Because these scans are done with a light emitting printer, actual colors will, more likely than not, be slightly darker than they may appear, here. The colors shown, here, are probably a bit more reminiscent of what the ink would be like under a bright light or if it were held up and viewed with a light behind it.

Yet Another Writing Sample (YAWS) - Feeling a Bit Stubbish

"Some weeks make you feel a bit stubbish...flat, but still classy!"

Sorry for the smudges!

This scan was done on an HP Deskjet F4280 at 600dpi.
Note: Because these scans are done with a light emitting printer, actual colors will, more likely than not, be slightly darker than they may appear, here. The colors shown, here, are probably a bit more reminiscent of what the ink would be like under a bright light or if it were held up and viewed with a light behind it.

Yet Another Writing Sample (YAWS) - Cyrillic Broad Edge

More broad edge samples! As I have recently begun to learn some Cyrillic lettering, I thought I might try my hand at "fancy-ing" it a bit in a broad edge style. The red letter was done with a Manuscript 4B nib, and the other letters with a Staedtler B nib. The paper is a Rhodia dot pad.

This scan was done on an HP Deskjet F4280 at 600dpi.
Note: Because these scans are done with a light emitting printer, actual colors will, more likely than not, be slightly darker than they may appear, here. The colors shown, here, are probably a bit more reminiscent of what the ink would be like under a bright light or if it were held up and viewed with a light behind it.

Yet Another Writing Sample (YAWS) - Miniature Broad Edge Lettering

In testing out a Pendleton Point "Good Guy" nib grind, I found it had the fantastic ability of containing just enough italic edge to letter some broad edge. Enjoy this writing sample, demonstrating such. The larger letters were done with a Staedtler calligraphy pen with a B nib. Note that this was written on a Rhodia dot pad (which should provide a sense of scale with the dots).

This scan was done on an HP Deskjet F4280 at 600dpi.
Note: Because these scans are done with a light emitting printer, actual colors will, more likely than not, be slightly darker than they may appear, here. The colors shown, here, are probably a bit more reminiscent of what the ink would be like under a bright light or if it were held up and viewed with a light behind it.

Yet Another Writing Sample (YAWS) - Inking In Private

Today, I will let the scan do the talking:

Yet Another Writing Sample (YAWS) - Lots of Handwritings!

Today, rather than provide you with a writing sample that I created, I wanted to share this fabulous article from the FPGeeks website with you. It showcases a fabulous letter, written by someone with the ability to imitate any handwriting. How cool...and intense...is that? Enjoy!
(Warning: the letter contains some language that may be offensive.)

Yet Another Writing Sample (YAWS) - Broad Edge Tengwar Calligraphy

Earlier this week, I promised a unique post for today's YAWS, and here it is! Drawing from the post, two weeks ago, on broad-edge lettering (and my attempts thereof) and the post from last weekend on a transcription of Tolkien poetry in Tengwar, the alphabet of Tolkien's elves, I present to you: broad-edge lettering applied to the Tengwar alphabet.

A bit of nerdy background... Tolkien's two primary elven languages are Quenya and Sindarin. While they both use the same alphabet, the Tengwar, each uses it in a slightly different way, or "mode." Notice the curls, lines, and dots above what appear to be the main letters? Those "additions" represent vowels, and the large letters represent consonants. The primary difference between using Tengwar to write Quenya and using it to write Sindarin is whether vowels are placed over the letter that they follow or the letter that they precede. Here, the words "arandur" and "tengwar" are both written using the Quenya mode, which maintains the vowels being placed above the letter that they follow.

The first word, "arandur," happens to be the Quenya word for "steward," which is a translation of the name "Spencer!" Thus, the name "Spencer" in Quenya is "Arandur."

I hope you enjoyed this post!

Yet Another Writing Sample (YAWS) - Tengwar Tales

I would like to think that, if Tolkien's elves had access to fountain pens, they would use them exclusively, though dip pens might be more realistic, given their time period.
This writing sample is actually from several years ago, and it was something that I found, while working on a writing sample, which will go live next Saturday!
(For any Tolkien linguists in my reader base, I would like to disclaim that there may be errors in transcription!

The Tale of Gil-Galad
Gil-galad was an Elven-king.
Of him the harpers sadly sing:
the last whose realm was fair and free
between the Mountains and the Sea.

His sword was long, his lance was keen,
his shining helm afar was seen;
the countless stars of heaven's field
were mirrored in his silver shield.

But long ago he rode away,
and where he dwelleth none can say;
for into darkness fell his star
in Mordor where the shadows are.

Pen: Speedball C-5
Ink: Winsor & Newton Crimson

Yet Another Writing Sample (YAWS) - Broad-edge Calligraphy

Not long ago, I discovered broad-edge lettering. This fabulous-looking calligraphy style has been around for a long, long time, and I wanted to share my first attempt at my own broad-edge hand, done last weekend.

Next step: work on uniformity of the letters.

If you are interested in resources for learning this fabulous calligraphy, I urge you to check out this great webpage from IAMPETH.

Yet Another Writing Sample (YAWS) - Montblanc Lavender Purple In Close-Up

In showing the richness of Montblanc's Lavender Purple ink to a friend, I captured this photo and really liked the lighting and the angle. Thus, I thought I would share it with all of you!

Enjoy!