Printable Spencerian Capitals Movement Book / Click here to watch it in use.

*There will be a temporary link in your order confirmation email to download the book within 24 hours

After providing detailed feedback to more than 1,000 students in Spencerian/Ornamental Penmanship, I know that students struggle the most with movement. After learning the correct form, beginners often rely on finger movement to practice letters that are relatively small in size.

To help you gain the confidence and courage to move, I created this Movement Book. I have meticulously prepared each letter with specific variations (2-4 each) that I know students struggle with the most, and I have personally tested and adjusted the size of each letter so that they demand arm movement. 

How I recommend using this Movement Book:

You may print the pages out on Letter Size Copy Paper or on Rhodia paper. If you print on Rhodia, do not forget to alter the page setup on your printer settings to A4. 

Use newspaper as the blotter that cushions your print-out against your desk. Newspaper gives a bounce that is perfect for script work. I have tested all blotter materials on the market and not one can provide this. 

Write directly on the printed sheet. Do not place the printed sheet on a light board to retrace.

Before beginning each letter, write in the air (not hurried ovals but at the actual speed you would write) over the stroke without landing the nib. Feel the range of movement you would need to execute this letter. You may need to adjust your expectations of how far down and to the right you need to go, for example. 

Then, using the printed letter as a guideline for movement, execute your own letter over the printed letter with nib and ink. Tracing or merely filling in the swells will yield no results. The goal is not to produce an aesthetically pleasing page but to use the existing letters to learn movement, form, and the shapes of your swells.

Mindfully analyze what part of the movement you struggled with and consider how you can improve on the next letter. Moving without thought will yield no results.

If you can practice consciously, I am hopeful that these pages will help you gain the freedom you have longed for on paper. In my private sessions, I would often write an example for my student on their practice sheet. I wish to offer the same to you here.  

Disclaimer: No part of the pdf file/image may be distributed as digital or print copies, or used without permission. Please respect the terms of use.