How to Get Thin Upstrokes in Handlettering | Modern Calligraphy Tutorial

[@Maryam-td6rj]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who writes with the thumb over, it just feel more comfortable and I've been writing like that my whole life

[@HowtoHandLetter]

Me too! Glad to see I'm not alone! Thanks for watching!

[@BeautifulSilenc3]

My friends use to make fun of me for writing like this, glad to see a KZbinr that writes this way

[@susanlewis1110]

Me too!

[@lydiac.4191]

I think we’re just extra special... 🙂😂

[@mar5jdb]

I'm a little late, but I write the same way 😊

[@angeleneparrramos8394]

I'm glad you mentioned that tombows are a little harder to begin with. I've been feeling that and even had a bit more success with my kids' markers. I like your videos because you're lettering the whole time you're speaking. It's annoying to watch a lettering video and they don't touch pen to paper for several minutes into the video. Seeing you practice is just as helpful as your tips. Thanks!

[@HowtoHandLetter]

Thank you so much for all of your nice comments! Yes, I totally agree with you! I love tombows, but I just hear so often from people who are struggling and they're using those as their first pen (I think because they're so common) and it can be really discouraging. I like to ease my way into the hard stuff, haha! Thanks for watching!

[@saanvikhorate]

Angelene Parr Ramos ya same thoughts

[@apscafe]

great approach

[@takemehome42]

This is exactly what I needed to see. I’m a beginner, but I’m also on a long term medication that gives me hand tremors. The shakiness has been a little frustrating. THANK YOu

[@jessicat3762]

Been struggling and failing at brush lettering for about 3 months .... Watched this, nailed it in seconds. Great explanations.

[@debbieracicot9841]

Thank you for explaining that the upstroke is kind of a float. That has been really helpful for me.the press hard, press softly was not getting the result I wanted.

[@apscafe]

appreciated!

[@SimplySophieFR]

That tip on letting your hand glide for the thinner strokes is really working !! Perfect!

[@HowtoHandLetter]

Yay! I'm so glad it helped! Thank you for watching!

[@ILOLnumber1]

I just stumbled upon this video. I've been using Tombows for my bullet journals for the last 3 years and I haven't been able to figure out why my downstrokes and upstrokes have the same thickness, or when the upstrokes are thin, they're really shaky looking. This is so helpful! You've explained it so thoroughly.

[@laurahaverlock1460]

So glad I found this video. I’ve been having a hard time figuring out how to hold the brush and this helped a lot. I just have to keep telling myself that learning anything new takes time and that no one starts out doing anything as well as someone who has been doing it for a while. I am learning also that instead of watching every video out there, it is much better to follow one person because everyone has their own technique, their favorite brushes, etc. and it becomes VERY overwhelming. I would really like to see how you do the entire alphabet and how you practiced when you first started. Like, did you practice the whole alphabet or just transitioning from down to up and reverse, or whatever you did and how much time did you spend? Thank you so much for taking the time to do these videos. It would be so much harder to learn without them.

[@xLaLaLunax]

Omg! I’ve never seen someone who holds their pen the same way that I do! Everyone always tells me how weird I hold my pen but I just can’t write as well when I try holding it the “proper” way. This totally made my day! Ahahaa 😆

[@derek690]

the problem is i tend to grip and write very hard. that's why i have callous in my ring finger.

[@frozenloveangel96]

Suho omg same.....

[@chocoball0920]

Same lol

[@valerielambert3851]

Me too!

[@saigesinclair2268]

Same

[@seideesolis8561]

Same it HURTS as a student 😞😔

[@elisabethwaltz8789]

This was so helpful, thank you! I agree that the Tombow has been a bit hard to use; I've had better luck with smaller, shorter pens. It was very helpful to hear how you described the up and down strokes; I've been struggling with the transitions. And it's really helpful to watch you make letters, I can get a sense of how I should be doing it.

[@DeadbatteryVT1300]

Finally, a video that helped !! I am finding the Tombow a bit hard to learn with. I have a sharpie that is great.

[@Naomi-rr5mf]

I got some tombow markers for the holidays to try out hand lettering and I thought I was just bad but I agree the long tip takes a lot of practice to get used to

[@jessicaholguin4463]

So glad you mentioned the shakiness!!! I started about a week ago and that's been my downfall here and there.

[@ljmccorkle]

I'm so glad you mentioned the "shaking". That is my issue, especially with the Crayola fat markers. I'm about to give up on them, but I'll keep practicing for now. Thanks!

[@krndreamer]

You've made my life so much easier just by telling me that I should hold my brush at an angle. I went to a Korean church and they had a cultural learning thing for the younger kids and I was told to hold my brush perpendicular to the paper for "proper form". So the entire time, I kept trying with my Tombow at a perpendicular height and it was not working! Thank you for that tip!

[@Mortalita]

Thanks for these tips! I hope I can find a good angle for my paper vs pen because i'm a leftie and that makes learning this even harder!

[@HowtoHandLetter]

I get that question SO often! I wish I had more tips. My husband's a leftie and I considered teaching him lettering so that he could help me with leftie tips - haha! He's not quite convinced yet... Thanks for watching!

[@twodahl]

yes!!! I'm a newb leftie as well and I'm trying to combine natural writing with tips and tricks to find what works for me.

[@Mortalita]

If you ever post those tricks online, let me know!!

[@twodahl]

Will do!

[@ponky8526]

Thank you so much for sharing the tips! It was helpful to know that lifting up a pen will improve the fine line. I have a hard time writing a counterclockwise circle like in “a” or “c”. When I try to go from a fine line to a bold line, the line gets bumpy. Would you teach us how to make a smooth counterclockwise circle?

[@tezoodle]

Thank you Suzy this is so helpful! I've just finished your 7 day course, and am now practicing for about an hour a day with the bundle drills and simplified lettering. I've always wanted to be able to do this, so thank you for your generous spirit and wonderful tutorials 💕

[@HowtoHandLetter]

That is amazing!! Thank you so much for sharing! Let me know if there's any way I can help!

[@tezoodle]

@@HowtoHandLetter so far so good Suzy, I can see that it just comes down to practice as you say. Your videos explain things really well!

[@MLLatUtube]

Thank you! The tip on slanting the pen was particularly helpful and I will look for that paper too

[@DottyGale8]

I like the first “n” you made (that you said was “shaky”) the best. It’s the prettiest one there.

[@lucyhager]

This helped me SO much! I just started lettering, and was feeling VERY frustrated with my thick upstrokes, but now I don’t! I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!

[@HowtoHandLetter]

I am so glad it helped! Thank you so much for watching!

[@elizahieb2189]

You helped me so much with the upstrokes I am a leftie and my upstrokes We're always so shaky Thank you!

[@lje0512]

Using the side, not the tip would be the game changer. I wonder if you can shoot another video and little bit closer? I just want to see what you mean by using the side of the nib. Thanks!

[@HowtoHandLetter]

I will try! I am still experimenting but I'm hoping to eventually be able to do a double screen where one camera is closer up and the other is from overhead, but I haven't figured out the kinks yet! But thank you for your feedback! And thanks for watching!

[@BellyDancerDiaries]

Until now, I'd never seen someone who holds the pen the same way as me! Nice to meet you 😁 Thanks for the great tips.

[@mishcavadriana]

I love your channel! I just recently started hand lettering and I struggle with upstrokes. This video was helpful!

[@jjgarcia1566]

Your videos have definitely helped with my progress! You give great details👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾 among all the videos i’ve watched, yours is definitely one that helped me the most! ❤️

[@poornima779]

Love hand lettering and thanks for sharing the tips and tricks!!!😍

[@apscafe]

it's just awesome!

[@lindacurtis589]

I appreciate these tips so much especially since I am a newbie! I love your calm voice!

[@jlm517rocks]

Appreciate your approach. I switch off from right to left hand. Upshifts are easier right and downshift are smoother lefty. My version of physical therapy...

[@cynthiaslaton7112]

I'm glad that you've shared the different pens to use when starting out, however I'm left handed and suggestions on how to get the thin line on the up stroke.

[@thecommenter3409]

Hi is it possible to do hand lettering using watercolor brushes not the ones you used in this video but the normal painting ones.if it is possible please share an in depth tutorial about that.....love the video by the way.

[@conniem.2713]

I just recently discovered your channel and am planning a marathon soon! You explain the process so well. Thanks.

[@LibraStudies]

This is the channel I never knew I needed... keep up the work!!! :)

[@HowtoHandLetter]

Ha - one of the best compliments I could get! Thanks for watching!

[@marudesign.studio]

I've been practicing with crayola markers and when I try to do something random with my Tombows my strokes looks so nice and even! it makes no sense! thanks for the tips, my issues are mostly with connecting letter and making my hand lettering look even.

[@MegCastillo]

thank you for this content! it really helped me with my upstrokes especially my hands get shaky getting the upstrokes right

[@wtc8654]

This pops out when i needed Omg i love you

[@NiteOwlCrafter]

Thank you! I think changing the verbs pushing and gliding is much easier to process!

[@foxterry-welsh5926]

These are some really great tips on mindset and actions. Thanks!

[@Sooauni]

finally some youtuber I know writes like that

[@brandonlillibridge8763]

I hold my pen the same way I've never seen anyone that has done that in my lifetime 😂😂 I thought I was the only one

[@lizzielou742]

Awesome, so helpful! I wish we could see your writing in action closer up!

[@HowtoHandLetter]

Thank you! And I know, I get that question alllll the time! I'm trying to figure out a better way! Thanks for watching!

[@barbarahatfield9658]

Thanks so much , this is all new to me and love it all ready

[@KellyVWeber]

You are an excellent teacher, thanks for the tips!

[@RealisticMon]

I love this! I bought a few cheaper small brush pens I found.. I’m used to pencil. Pen . Lines and fill in. Lol so brush pen is beyond new for me lol... but could you do a video for the pens I have? They are small and I’d like to know how to really use them. They are the Zebra pens

[@christine4213]

This was a super helpful video! Thank you so much ❤️

[@apscafe]

appreciated!

[@MsApplegreentea]

this tip really helps me. thanks so much

[@SGfanFre]

Love the tips! Can't wait to do more practice now

[@randjegorter8174]

Thank you so much for all you're explaining, i love it so much 💖

[@rethanbala8094]

this helped me soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo many thanks

[@candy_dragon]

Thank you for trying the pen I requested out!

[@HowtoHandLetter]

You're welcome! I have to use it a little more, but I really like the small side so far! It doesn't look like a brush pen so I was surprised when it worked that way! Thanks for the recommendation! And thanks for watching!

[@miketan617]

new favorite channel

[@magicfetus4964]

My brushpens are so soft. I need to watch this.

[@amandasmith2962]

You explanation helped so much!

[@tammyvaughan2727]

Great tips! Thanks!!

[@trinhmaicoi]

Thank you. Its really helpful for beginners like me

[@tugbadenizkarasu6671]

this is so helpful video thank you for sharing your tips with us

[@HowtoHandLetter]

You are welcome! And thank you so much for watching!

[@sannedelange3158]

this video is supper helpful! thank you for doing wat you do, love your channel.

[@HowtoHandLetter]

Thank you so much! I'm glad it's helpful for you! And thanks for watching!

[@yashnasingh1458]

This is so damn helpful! Thank you for this! I've been struggling with this for months.. I thought maybe I'm just not good at it..😅 Glad that's not the case. Excited to keep practicing :)

[@apscafe]

really very helpful

[@katherinenguyen1758]

Just noticed that I hold the pen the same way u do, it's just som much more natural than any other grip for me

[@snow-qy2yl]

Could you create a video that has tips on how to do capital letters? Mine look really ugly! Hope that I can master them soon, hope to see that video! Thanks!

[@camchaunguyen]

For me, I'm fine with the upstrokes for most of the letters, except for the e, h, l (letters like that). The end of the e for example, like the horizontal and the up _/ is so hard and it keeps becoming so thick. Like it's hard to make it "sharp" difference between thick and thin. I don't know why it is much harder than other letters. Also, another thing is, I get so frustrated when the upstrokes are not MAXIMUM thin :(. The end of the h, or l, those curves at the end is very hard for me to make it thin. You have any advice for me?

[@lisahughes7537]

Thank you. I was trying to learn with my Tombows but will bite use my Pitt Pens instead.

[@sindhureddy6221]

I will definitely use your tips!

[@HowtoHandLetter]

Thank you! And thanks for watching!

[@fe-xe2dj]

I'm a beginner using pentel pen you mentioned in your video. Can you pls have a video using that pen? Thx

[@createdbymo4u]

Thank you as always!!

[@waitasecond3]

Just subbed! And to think you were astonished by 18k followers...now you're at 85k! Wowza!!

[@lydiac.4191]

I hold my pen the same way that you hold it. I’m glad I’m not the only one. I was taught to hold it with my pointer finger and thumb, when I was younger. After I did not have to hold it a certain way, I immediately held it the way that you do and have ever since. (I’m in 8th grade) When you hold it with your pointer finger and thumb, my hand gets shaky and I can’t right well. I’m glad that I have someone to relate to.. Btw, I’m sorry my comment is a year late.

[@adhesive5007]

Hi ! I have a hard tip brush pen so can u make a video on how to do thin upstrokes with it and thick downstrokes, also If u have any tips abt it please mention it in the video! Thanks ❤ I suffer a lot with make thin upstrokes , my upstrokes and downstrokes look the same

[@sukriitii]

Thank YOUso so so so much for this video coz i literally improved after seeing this video and i am not joking THANK YOU SO MUCH, THANK U 😊😊

[@angelaem205]

Letting your hand float a bit and getting better quality paper seems to be a great tip, I am really having hard time with them upstrokes! o_O I am trying wavy lines and such exercises and hope to see the benefit of it! ^_^

[@paulinesmit8364]

fantastic ideas and tips, especially about the paper quality! I had never thought of that ;-)

[@ReinventedDelaware]

Great video! I just subscribed because you did such a great job with this! I am an old time calligrapher from way back and have just recently tried brush pen lettering. Much different than calligraphy but I'm trying :) What watercolor brush pen are you using? I looked in your list of products but i didn't see it. Some videos about that art form would be great! Thanks for sharing!

[@keikooleary8623]

Super helpful. Thank you! 💌

[@elainep.97]

Hey! You mentioned letting your hand glide up for upstrokes, but what do I do if I do it so lightly that my brush comes entirely off the paper? Haha

[@pamelagailecorsame8441]

Elaine P. I have the same problem😭

[@coco328i]

Omg, same way for me ಠ_ಠ

[@nataliev8022]

Any tips on the thin upstrokes with the Tanmit Calligraphy pens?

[@rebeccayonge167]

Love your videos! What is the best graph paper or lined paper to use?

[@kaylinnnic]

Thank you so much for this - I started brush lettering recently and I definitely ruined my first 2 brush pens by not understanding the technique!

[@NaeNaeW]

Grwat tips! Thanks! ❤I wonder if using a water brush pen is easier than a regular paintbrush 🤔

[@sen4114]

Ive always been taught to hold it the “proper” way but ive been holding a pen like how you did all my life, sorry teachers..

[@HowtoHandLetter]

Ahh! I KNOW! So many people comment on this and tell me I'm doing it wrong - and honestly, I CAN write the "right" way, but it makes my thumb sore and it's harder for me to control my pen. I've been doing it this way for decades (my mom also writes this way), so at this point I'm just gonna have to assume that IT'S FINE. lol :)

[@bethamorimnunes]

ikr lol

[@stampinturtles]

Thank you for this video!

[@HowtoHandLetter]

Of course! Thank you for watching!

[@heidiann184]

You are very encouraging, thanks.

[@HowtoHandLetter]

Thank you! Thanks for watching!

[@sandnstars8]

I love this video! Thank you so much!

[@HowtoHandLetter]

Thank you for watching!

[@scarlettmubarak7048]

I’m not sure if my new brush is frayed or not but I think it might be because I used notebook paper. Should I keep using notebook paper or should I stop? Thanks for the great vid by the way👏💞

[@nicoleheim4631]

What was the pen you used for watercolors? Do you put paint inside of it?

[@lilbohbeat5785]

I've just had my mind blown and I'm so excited and eager to keep practicing after learning this - so I thought I'd share with other beginners here: I've been learning with the tombow dual brush pens, and while I'm pretty good and always getting better, it's (of course) been kinda difficult. Well, tonight my 2 tombow fudenosuke pens were delivered (I got a 2 pack on amazon - 1 "soft" (really seems more medium) and one firm.. I AM SO DAMN GREAT WITH THIS FIRM PEN! It's a goddamn miracle. I can't stop writing now, and I can make bigger letters and even single-spaced letters, as in how we write/print regularly on loose leaf.. I can't believe the improvement. I will definitely keep practicing with the softer dual pens, but I can't tell you guys how encouraging and motivating it is to see yourself pretty much match some of your favourite artists letters and words.. YAY!!

[@ekh2655]

I'm not seeing a link to your watercolor pen. Can you share it? And one for the watercolor paint?

[@ychnreddy]

I hold my pen 🖊 pencil ✏️ whatever the same way! And thx SOOOOOOOO much, this helped a lot!

[@pragyabhatt8112]

thanks so much for the video,it was very helpful.i have a question,how do we dot our i's and T's? thanks

[@kevin-so9fz]

you literally [:)] got me into handlettering

[@josephmbu1743]

Hi! How do I design in calligraphy using a ball headed pen? And by the way thanks for the lessons you gave. It really helped me out.

[@rachaelb9164]

How do you prevent the shaky hand syndrome when starting out? Are there any specific exercises or drills you did to help your lines from wobbling?

[@candiecakesdaninja]

What kind of pen did you use for the water color? Was it filled with water?

[@bettyhe601]

Can you do a tutorial for the crayons super tips?

[@tracytenerife7678]

Hi! I just have a question regrds to the paper can I use a short and long bond paper for calligraphy

[@SewWhittle]

The best pen for beginners to use is the Tombow Fude Calligraphy pen WS-BH or WS-BS. They are smaller and MUCH easier to handle and have control.

[@HowtoHandLetter]

Yes! I love these! My only problem is that they dry out so fast! But they are really great for beginners! Thanks for watching!

[@SewWhittle]

How to Hand Letter I’ve had mine for over a year and they are still like new. 😌

[@shaziariazkhan2541]

What is the name of this brush pen which you used at 5:37 in your video recoding length.

[@HowtoHandLetter]

Ah sorry - I forgot to link that one! I always forget the name so I probably meant to go look it up in my online orders to find the accurate name, but I missed it! Sorry! It's the Pentel Arts Duo Point Flex Double Ended Brush - long name! But that's how it's listed on amazon. Thanks for watching!

[@yaeledmonds5158]

When I use Crayola Super Tips, the up-strokes still come out quite thick, even though I "bounce" the pen back. Is this due to the shape of the tip? How can I avoid it?

[@unodos6274]

Wow.... How many brush pens do you have?

[@windydayz]

Thank you for this, it was very helpful.

[@HowtoHandLetter]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!