I love writing with a fountain pen. The one in the photo is a Parker Classic; it feels good in the hand and writes more smoothly than any of my other pens. Unfortunately, it leaks a little around the collar — just enough to make it messy unless I hold it well back from the collar. I no longer use Quink, preferring the wonderful Noodler's X-feather because it has much less tendency to bleed through to the other side of the paper and has the huge advantage that it's waterproof when dry. The notebook is a Moleskine cahier; the mug is a much-appreciated gift (that's Snufkin, in case you didn't know. He's the closest thing I have to a hero).
[30 January 2010; Canon 20D, 24–105 mm f4 L at 50 mm, ISO 400, 1/5 at f11. Substantial post-processing in Lightroom and Photoshop; I added the grain after taking the photo back in Lightroom.]
All content © 2010 Pete McGregor
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18 comments:
Oh, YES!
As necessary as breathing. The Moleskine and a fine-point Sheaffer for the private thoughts, and the lap-top for anything to be made public, An automatically applied contrast which I'd never thought about until I just wrote that. You never know what's going to appear....that's the complete joy of writing!
Oh my, but you have beautiful handwriting!
What Emma said. You do have beautiful handwriting.
Ditto Emma and Clare's comments, but I must add it is very interesting to read your topic (software design) written of with a fountain pen in a classic lined journal! As for me, my Waterman Carene (my husband snapped it up for me one Christmas in an INSANE deal!) is my very best friend, helping me fill reams of college-ruled filler paper with all sorts of dreams and schemes. This is a wonderful glimpse of your personality and I thank you so very much.
Wonderful photo..your handwriting, the pen...even the Muumin cup! Lovely!
RR, an excellent point — writing's so often a process of exploration and discovery. Every so often, one comes across an unexpected treasure; no guarantees, but without the exploration there can be no discovery.
Emma, Clare, Barbara, Aputsiaq — thank you all for the compliments. My handwriting's actually pretty scruffy close up, but I do enjoy flicking back through the pages and seeing them filled with words from my own hand. (Barbara — a Waterman Carene? I'm SO envious!)
We both love Snufkin, we both love the mountains and photography, we both love writing and fountain pens, we both love Moleskine, and now I see that we both have very similar handwriting... this is getting really weird!
One of the most delightful posts I've read by you.
I love this photo, especially its grainy quality and the colour in Snufkin's hair! I'm very used to this view - but from the other side of the table where I'm sitting with my Hattifattener mug full of tea, my classic large hardcover Moleskine and my brandless fountain pen with J Herbin ink in reseda green. Oh, and my dreads bundled up in a head wrap.
I think Pete's handwriting is scruffy but full of personality. Much like Pete himself :-)
Miguel, that's freaky all right. Or maybe great minds think alike? ;^)
Anne-Marie, thank you — I think ;^P
What a coincidence. Not too long ago I just purchased and started using a Pilot Namiki vanishing point fountain pen and just love it. Check it out:
http://www.bittner.com/product-details.php?id=396&pColor=1173
When I’m not using it, it’s perched on the upward arms a small, pewter laughing Buddha. See:
http://www.bittner.com/product-details-1.php?id=600
P.S. Really like the grain on this photo and the touch of Snufkins’ red hair and brass pen parts -- the only color in the photo like the old time B&W watercolor touch-ups.
Paul, those Pilots have a great reputation, and I like your choice of pen stand — definitely the best of the bunch!
Glad you appreciate the post-processing. Sometimes, when playing around like this, I have a lot of difficulty deciding what to do, but this felt so "right" it seemed as if the photo had taken charge and was directing me.
you have beautiful handwriting Pete! i often wish i had inherited my father's beautiful script. i haven't ever seen anything quite like it. sadly, i guess i write too quickly and consequently my handwriting is messy and inconsistent. i too have a favourite pen, though it is suffering from neglect right now!
:)
Thanks Leonie :^) I've noticed how many people older than me do seem to have beautiful handwriting, full of character and personality, and I wonder to what degree that arises from the way they were taught, how much is a reflection of the experience of life accumulated as one grows older, and how much simply reflects innate personality.
However, I do know my handwriting can look pretty awful if I'm forced to write with a horrible pen on lousy paper.
Time to give your favourite pen some exercise?
yes, you are probably right about giving the pen some exercise!
I feel like I have walked to the end of the valley and discovered the pot of gold at the bottom of the rainbow.... I never knew such an interesting and talented man lived where I live. Guess I haven't stopped to smell the roses long enough lately, thank you. I stumbled on this website by accident looking up Pohangina Birds, I am so glad that I did :)
Hope to run in to you one day
Teresa, thank you — that's quite a compliment. The valley's a great place; I've lived here a while now and I'm still discovering new things and fascinating people.
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