Use the exact same process as creating an “i” to finish off the “u.”

To create the bottom of a “u,” simply make the same tick you used at the end of the bottom lozenge of the “i,” but elongate it to 1-1.5 nib lengths.

This is done by either elongating the stroke you used to create the tick at the end of the “i,” or by changing the direction you pull the pen after a couple of nib lengths. At this point you will want to add curvature to a letter. All letters are made of a combination of pen strokes.

Repeat these two letters several times before moving on to letters involving more curves and pen strokes.Īdd curves to your writing.

The trick is to maintain a steady hand to keep the line straight and constant.

Create an “l” using the same process as creating the “i.” The difference here is that the minim will be longer by several nib lengths.

You can also repeat this tick move to dot the “i.” This time, keeping your pen at the same angle when you reach the bottom, draw the pen up and to the right at the opposite 45 degree angle to make a thin upward tick like a tail. Starting in the center, bottom portion of the lozenge, still holding the pen at a 45 degree angle, draw the pen straight down to create the stem, or minim, of the “i.” Repeat the process of creating a lozenge to cap off the bottom of the letter. This is the top of your “i” and is known as a lozenge. Draw the pen in the same direction as the nib is angled until you have made a diamond with approximately equal sides.

Ink your pen and place it on your blank piece of paper with the tip at a 45 degree angle.

This will be the basis for the rest of your practice.

These two letters also involve only one simple line. Start simple with the letters “i” and “l.” Lower case letters are generally less elaborate in the Old English alphabet and therefore easier to begin with.

Old english font for the letter a