It’s all about the angle
Holding your brush pen at an angle towards the paper is very important for achieving strokes in varying thickness. Avoid holding the pen upright where the end of the pen points toward the ceiling. Try to decrease the angle of the tip towards the paper as much as you can while making sure you still have a comfortable grip. You’ll notice as soon as you apply pressure at the pen held in this way the flexible tip bends over the paper and the strokes produced are thick.
Loosen Your Grip
When focusing so hard on thickness, the lines evenness, how slow your going and keeping the same hold and angle, its common that your fingers tighten around the pen unintentionally. Try keeping a light grip on the pen with every stroke so you practice good techniques that build your hands muscle memory. It’s harder to undo a habit of a tight grip once it settles than it is to keep in mind a light touch as early as possible as you practice.
And all of these things can sound overwhelming to keep in mind all at once but don’t let that discourage you! Trust me, just keep up the practice and you’ll be doing it on autopilot soon!
Remember
- Hold the pen at an angle to the paper
- Go slow to maintain control over the strokes.
- Loosen your grip, not so light that the pen is loose in your hand but not so tight that it effects you’re overall control. It can be hard to achieve straight thin lines with a tight grip.
- And just because someone says this is the way to hold these pens doesn’t mean its the only way! If you found that your grip and technique is serving you well, keep using it.
Let me know in the comments how these tips works for you or if you have a tip of your own!
Thank you Rim! This will help me in my calligraphy journey. I am delighted by your post coz its my birthday today as well. 🙂 I posted in my instagram the word “thank you” its quite good and Im happy with it. I need more practice though. 🙂 Have good day! 🙂
Happy belated birthday Lyan!
I hope it helped you, so happy you found your way here and super excited that you’re implementing the tips in your lettering. I wish I could have seen your thank you post, feel free to tag me on instagram if you want when you post something else lettered 🙂
Talk to you soon
Rim
This is amazing! So proud of you, Rim. Excited for what’s to come!!!
Dearest and loveliest Sharisse, thank you so much! For your kind words, your support and encouragement. Can’t wait for all that you’ve got got planned too 😉
Add me to your list. Thank you all your calligraphy tips!!!
You’re welcome Donna! Thank you for signing up, looking forward to sharing more with you ?