HAND LETTERING LOVE::OBLIQUE PEN & PENCIL

It seems impossible that I have not only been practicing my lettering, but trying out new techniques.  I decided awhile back that no matter how busy I got that I was going to make time to practice.  I can't just will myself to become better at this discipline, I need to put the time in.  Last week I decided to take a lesson to learn how to use an oblique pen.  Why?  I read that it will assist with angle, which is an important detail in calligraphy, this tricky angle quotient.  What did I learn?  I learned that I am horrible with the slant, just horrible, a lot of new students are. Like thousands before me, I destroyed my tines, but eventually can see how this odd looking instrument can assist in creating beautiful thin hairlines and a uniform look to my lettering (something that has alluded me for months).  The teacher suggested I buy an oblique pencil which I have since ordered.  It's supposedly a great tool to practice your pointed pen work. I have been practicing using these free Dr. Joe Vitolo videos (excellent to see how to create your letters) and using these free guidelines (the largest version under the Copperplate/Engrosser's Script Instruction ).  I have been using the Canson Pro marker paper, it's nice and smooth and I can slip the guidelines under the paper and see them clearly. My traditional calligraphy is pretty rank (it might make your eyes bleed), but I am going to just keep practicing and see where it takes me.  My goal is by this time next year to have legible letters/words to show you in the Copperplate style. It is going to take a lot more practice!  Let me know if you have any questions about any of the above, I am happy to try to answer them.