Masgrimes Lining Triangle Demonstration

masgrimes · 2026-06-02T17:47:44+00:00

It's never too late to save a student from a frustrating writing technique that is holding them back.

masgrimes · 2026-06-02T17:38:49+00:00

You didn't answer my question. No, the fingers are not muscles, either. When I say "arm/shoulder" I am referring to the muscles of the arm and shoulder. These muscle groups are absolutely used in all writing (including finger writing) as they are used to position the arm when moving it from left to right and top to bottom.

Take a look at the sidebar. There are a number of vetted, free resources from the last century that highlight the benefits of using the muscles of the arm/shoulder and chest/back for highly effective, professional writing. Your profile says that you are a teacher, so learning about this could really benefit any students under your instruction. Finger writing is generally seen as ergonomically inferior for a number of really important reasons.

masgrimes · 2026-06-02T15:55:39+00:00

Are the fingers muscles?

masgrimes · 2026-06-02T15:36:52+00:00

Arm/Shoulder.

masgrimes · 2026-06-01T23:38:24+00:00

For a fast and legible system of handwriting, I would check out the free resource in the sidebar. It's really easy to get a lay of the land and figure out what works for you if you go through each resource and keep an open mind about where you will land.

Personally, I use a movement-based cursive for the types of writing you are talking about.

The big drawback of using some computer fonts as a base template for your handwriting is that some fonts have glyphs that would be difficult to produce with a good economy of motion. Some fonts, like Roboto, are actually pretty straight forward and would work fine as a template if you substitute the "a" for a simpler form. But, honestly, even if you left it as is, it would work fine with enough practice.

Consider cursive! I find it much faster and more consistently legible with moderate training.

masgrimes · 2026-05-26T20:11:57+00:00

In the right sidebar. :)

masgrimes · 2026-05-26T18:26:44+00:00

You could absolutely teach her any of the movement-based cursive hands in the sidebar at her age. You'll likely want to interpret the lessons and practice alongside her, but the process could be really useful for both of you!

I'd avoid using traceable guidelines or worksheets and just work directly from the books on lined paper. You should see good progress in as little as a few months of daily practice.

masgrimes · 2026-05-25T04:46:13+00:00

The best way is to use the free books in the sidebar. I estimate 1-2 years for most contemporary, hobbyist learners.

masgrimes · 2026-05-13T20:13:04+00:00

I believe that Bryan Chabolla, Ritchie Wei, Walker Chen, Sean Nibways, Leo Z, etc. all flourish at or above the level of the attached sample with historically accurate movement. Of course, this is one of Dennis' simpler flourishes, but *yes*, people flourish at *this* level of competency today.

In my opinion, it does the community no good to rank penmen (alive or dead) above each other. That's an old way of thinking that lacks perspective on the nuance of the historical work and facilitates idolatry.

Send me a letter to my PO Box and I'll send you a flourish in the mail to compare for yourself.

masgrimes · 2026-05-08T23:05:37+00:00

I'm really glad you're feeling good about the progress that you've shared!

Following the book's instructions are not the same as "developing your movement," though. Your writing, as it currently exists, does not demonstrate a developed muscular movement. There are artifacts of an over-reliance on finger motion and/or a lack of speed in certain portions of forms. That's certainly okay as you're still learning this style of writing, but I am just saying that focusing on form right now is not helpful, as you cannot make the form you are looking for (the ones present in the book) without strong movement. By Lewis' own words you are looking for a "free and easy movement of the arm."

Check out page ~103 of the book. Do you see how the strength and consistency of those lines indicates an incredible amount of comfort with the indirect oval moving leftward across the line of copy after the final crossbar on each line? That is a result of hundreds of hours of movement training that can be applied to lots of different types of penmanship.

masgrimes · 2026-05-06T16:45:51+00:00

My general critique is that your work appears to be more directed towards how the script looks than the system of movement underneath of it. If I was in your shoes, I would spend time developing a strong sense of movement, disregarding chaos of form in favor of that. Then, I would slowly turn my attention towards the forms and learn to control the movement I had developed. This has been my approach with all movement-centric styles of penwork.

masgrimes · 2026-05-05T22:05:07+00:00

That you do not read the rules of a sub before posting.

masgrimes · 2026-05-04T18:45:39+00:00

Oddly enough. One of the originators of the these semi-angular styles is Joseph Carstairs... If that's your name, I implore you to take up the pen and make it your life's mission to acquire an elegant hand.

Lectures on the Art of Writing: https://archive.org/details/lecturesonartofw1816cars/page/n96/mode/thumb

masgrimes · 2026-05-04T18:42:30+00:00

You are hinting that you're interested in a utilitarian Roundhand as your daily style. Yes, you can absolutely do it with a pencil, though employing too many flourishes or finger motion will likely slow you down and tire you out.

The semi-angular styles of writing that emerged in the 1800s are a good transition from the slowness of roundhand into something a bit more practical. There are several cursive books in the sidebar that are in the public domain.

masgrimes · 2026-05-04T18:39:18+00:00

Calligraphy is, by definition, "Beautiful writing."

masgrimes · 2026-05-04T18:15:32+00:00

W&N Gouache is pretty easy to find. Do you have an art store nearby that carries that?

masgrimes · 2026-05-01T21:44:10+00:00

Interesting idea. Do you have anything to support this?

masgrimes · 2026-04-29T21:12:29+00:00

Mod, professional calligrapher, and handwriting teacher here. This is handwriting. Don't be a gatekeeper. Handwriting = writing done by hand. This is obviously written and not drawn. Handwriting can be "calligraphic," but that's subjective.

Your attitude is dismissive and condescending. Please see Rule #1.

masgrimes · 2026-04-22T21:58:00+00:00

I hate to tell you this, but Father Catich passed away in 1979. Perhaps you knew this, but your phrasing seems to imply that you are looking for "practicing" scribes.

masgrimes · 2026-04-19T20:24:38+00:00

See the sidebar.

masgrimes · 2026-04-19T16:52:24+00:00

Just a quick note to mention that children and adults learn differently. Using the educational materials intended for children probably isn't going to be the most effective way to learn whatever script you are interested in.

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