I agree! The historical part is very interesting, because calligraphy and writing are not isolated facts, they are part of history itself and part of the evolution of a language.
I had some time this morning and thought I'd practice Uncial but I was struggling. I found this video and it is very helpful. I also switched to a larger nib. Now I see the difference. Thank you. Your advice and historic information was much help.
A magnificently done tutorial. Mentioning the nuances of each calligraphers methods, with a nod to the character of the actual letter stile was important. I will try to find every one of your tutorials. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
Awesome!! A masterclass. Laughed at the arthritis comment! So true, right? Great history background, which totally gives the genre context. I also noticed some production upgrades that enhanced the viewing experience. And you make the calligraphy itself look so freaking easy. ¡BRAVO!
Thank you for such an informative/helpful video on a script I love and am actively practicing! I'm left-handed so I've had to modify my strokes (basically going from bottom to top) but it's still so helpful watching someone as they form the letters. I really like how you grouped each set of letters by common strokes as well, I think I'll try practicing that way instead of just writing the alphabet/random words ^_^
I was confused to begin with when you were talking about letters being " wide ". Then I realized you were referring to the height of the letters using the word wide. I refer to buildings, people, high jumps, trees, etc as being high. Also refer to letters being high, or , the height of a letter. Please do not take this comment as a complaint. I sincerely consider your in depth tutorials as the best I have seen. Your clear explanations of history, how letter styles developed, and practical examples are without parallel. Thank you for all you do for our community.
I have learned so much through only two videos. You have a wealth of knowledge in calligraphy including the historical significance of each manuscript. I have a question totally unrelated, and may seem vain. I noticed the sleeves, rouchjng and buttons of your velvet like fabric of your blouse or dress. Where did you buy such a beautiful blouse/dress, I love the style and colour and would love to buy it. Please tell me where to buy it??
14:23 Only a handful of early Greek loanwords were ever spelled with K in early forms of Latin, and there was a strong tendency to just spell them with C instead. By the classical period only the word 'kalendae' retained the traditional spelling more often than not, but it was probably always spelled with a C as well by the time uncial was in use. Also, rustic capitals weren't developed for writing on paper, they were developed for writing on walls with paint, usually advertisements for stores or political candidates. Painted rustic capitals are all over the walls of Pompeii. Romans actually had a different cursive hand for everyday writing on papyrus which is hardly recognizable as a version of the Latin alphabet, and you can find many examples of that scratched on the walls of Pompeii, but mostly saying very obscene things. Which probably contributed to rustic capitals being seen as a much nicer, higher class script to use for fancy manuscripts.
C was pronounced as K, and only as K, in classical Latin, afaik, though C gained some in Vulgar Latin. I think Y was similar. K was used for Greek loanwords (including the one you mention). So it makes sense that it would be very rare in Latin manuscripts. I guess it's inevitable that some letters would be "contra-facts", like Y, K, J, U (a modern-era variant of "v") and W. I don't actually know how K worked its way into western alphabets to the extent it has.
Wonderful... are you using oak gall ink? I notice it seems to start out a beautiful pale slate grey when first applied but soon turns a velvety black as it absorbs oxygen from the air... I use homemade oak gall ink for drawing and it’s a continuing delight to watch this particular piece of home alchemy...
Would you consider to make a video on The Book of Kells and/or half insular uncial? I would like to learn more about that. I loved this video and look forward for more!
Actually, The Book of Kells is one of the inspirations that got me into calligraphy! I do plan on eventually making a tutorial on every main Medieval script, but this is a very long-term project. I'll likely be making 1-2 a year.
I'd love to watch a video in which you show the beneventana calligraphy. I think that is a very particular, elegant, difficult and important type of writing from medieval southern Italy. I personally love it for the elegant look it gives to the page and the stylish connections between letters. I wish to see this writing been showed because it's almost forgotten, expecially in Italy, where many calligraphers even don't know of it's existance. Thank you if you read this and know i love your calligraphy tutorials.
Thank you so much for suggesting this. I just looked it up and it is absolutely beautiful! Plus the look of it is right up my alley. I have a feeling this will be a very fun script to experiment with. Thank you!
@@SolisScriptorivm If you ever need some suggestions, do not hesitate to ask. I'm practicing it now, so i know that many junctions are difficult to write or remember, but it's definetly worth the time and energy spent learning it. Thank you for answering me, i'm really wating a video like this.
I'm not aware of any pagan texts written in uncial. Please share if you have an example! My understanding was that uncial was indeed a Christian script only replaced by Carolingian miniscule to signal allegiance to the Holy Roman Empire.
@@icxcnika9399 Is that 4 because most books the standard nib width for UNICAL is 4 ? What if I had a 6mm pilot pen, would it still be 4 ? I have books that show the nib width for UNICAL as 5 or 6. So my question is whether 4 nib widths is a hard standard for UNCIAL OR does it depend on the size of the pen you are using ?
Absolutely! I am currently teaching myself Carolingian script, so that shall be the next one. Don't know exactly when I'll get to make the video, but sometime this year!
Some dates are a little bit off, Latin did not become the "language of the church in the second century" It was more by the fourth century with prominent figures arising in the west. Most influential ones were still in the east writing in Koine Greek. And Uncials began around 4th century as well. But besides that Nice video!
Well, actually straight up and down with no slant at all is the natural way people write. Slant is learned, and is really only done because it's considered more attractive, and easier to read, which really isn't true at all. Most people complain when they have to read more than a few paragraphs of slanted writing. I know a dot grid can help beginners, but I detest it so much that I'd give up writing if that were the only paper available. I'm also not terribly fond of uncial by itself. It has its place, but I greatly prefer later styles for manuscripts and books. Uncial is more of a sign or banner script, at least to me. I'm full of negatives today, but if they used feather quills in the past, I want to see them used today of I lose interest. To me, it's fakery and cheating. Same with the other instruments they used.
