From Handwriting to Font

I spend a lot of time writing on paper with different pens and inks, but almost all of my actual work happens on a screen. I decided I wanted to bring my own handwriting onto the screen as well, so have built tools (with help from GitHub Copilot) to create fonts from my handwritten script. How else better to bring the different character of quality pens into the digital experience?

The Process

To do this right, I needed a reproducible pipeline to build a font from scans of handwriting. Drawing vector paths by hand in font editing software for hundreds of letters and alternates isn’t sustainable for me. I built hw2font, a local Python tool that automates the conversion from a scanned template to a compiled OpenType font.

An AI Ink Name Creator

Have you ever dreamt of creating your own unique line of fountain pen inks? Ever wished you could capture the essence of a color in a single, evocative name? Well, now you can!

Introducing the Ink Name Creator, your personal ink AI, ready to help you find the perfect name for your next masterpiece. Simply pick your favorite color and a theme that inspires you—nature, the seasons, emotions, holidays, or something else entirely. The AI will then work its magic, serving up a list of creative names tailored to your choices.

Launching the ink database

I have catalogued my ink collection and placed it on this web site in a searchable database. As well as browsing the inks, you can use the database to find similar inks, or suggested palettes based on an ink.

To whet your appetite, here’s an example use of the search page.

Ink Review: Taccia Hokusai Sabimidori

Taccia Hokusai Sabimidori is an incredibly expressive teal ink. “Sabi midori” translates to “rust green”, which accurately describes the mix of the ink’s sheen and underlying shade.

I’ve been obsessed with this ink for nearly a month now, since getting a sample in December, and immediately deciding I wanted to order a bottle!

Ink Review: Diamine Purple Scribble

You can find lots written about inks, their qualities, and how they work on different papers. There are some very talented reviewers, such as Mountain of Ink, who do a much better job than I could. What I can do is tell you how an ink feels to me.

Diamine Scribble Purple is a private pleasure. So saturated it’s nearly black, and at first you wonder if it’s worth it. The deep royal purple comes out when you take a second look at your writing. It’s the subtlety that appeals to me.

Inkvent 2019

All my Instagram posts from the Diamine’s Inkvent Calendar 2019. Here’s the swab of every sample to give you an overview: read on for close-up illustrations with each ink, and some videos of the shimmer inks.

Inktober 2019

This #inktober I decided to pay cheeky tribute to the fountain pen experience with haiku-like poems and ink doodles. I followed the spooky themes from Goldspot Pens #goldspotinktober list.

30 Inks in 30 Days: September 2019

I decided to highlight a collection of some of my favorite, weird, and meaningful inks during InkJournal’s “#30inks30days” challenge this September. Here’s the entire archive, hope you enjoy!

Ink drops

Some fun insights and grumbles from my week with inks. Sloshing around in this post are Noodler’s, J. Herbin and Troublemaker.

Pen pops

One of the fun things about stationery as a hobby is picking up nuggets of trivia. Here’s a selection of pen facts I’ve learned recently, about Pelikan, OMAS, Noodler’s, Pilot, and more.