Brush lettering looks complicated, but almost every lowercase letter is made from eight simple strokes. Learn them separately, then join them.
The one rule: thin up, thick down
Use very light pressure when the pen moves up and firm pressure when it moves down. The change of pressure should happen at the top and bottom of curves, smoothly, not suddenly.
How the strokes become letters
- a = oval + underturn
- n = downstroke + overturn
- m = downstroke + overturn + overturn
- u = underturn + underturn
- h = ascending loop + overturn
- g = oval + descending loop
Practice plan
Fill one line per stroke each day, keeping the same slant and spacing. Lift the pen between strokes: it is normal and makes joins cleaner. When the strokes look even, try the letters above, then whole words.
Brush pen drill sheet
Free A4 PDF. Print at 100% and practise with a pencil first.
Keep going
Download all free practice sheets, or turn your words into calligraphy right now in the free generator.