One of the most “popular” types of hand-lettering currently is referred to as modern calligraphy or brush lettering. I spoke in my last post about the basic principal behind this style (& many others) being that there is a thin up stroke, and a gradually thicker down stroke (Learn about this terminology here!). Today I am going to go through some exercises that are a great way to put this principal into play, and that will prepare you for success as you learn.
I am going to use the crayola classic markers for these examples, but these same exercises can be used with brush pens as well!
The first, and most basic exercise is a simple curved zig-zag. This will help you get the hang of how to transition between an up stroke and a down stroke. This is probably the most valuable movement to master in modern calligraphy. With the crayola classic markers, you want to be on the very tip for your up strokes, and gradually tipping your marker to the side to utilize the angled side and thicken your lines on your down strokes. With a brush pen, these movements are created by putting lighter or heavier pressure on the paper. If you are doing faux-lligraphy with any other writing utensil, you will start with a curved zig-zag that is the same thickness throughout, then add your down strokes in, as explained in this post.
Another excellent exercise is making loops. This movement is present in many letters, and is a little more difficult to master than the zig-zag pattern.
I like to combine these two movements to practice letter transitions also.
The last one I’m going to show you today, is what I called Crazy 8’s. I’m sure there is a more sophisticated name out there, but I’m not going to find out what it is because I like Crazy 8’s better, I’m sure.
Keep practicing these until you can comfortably do them, and you will be in a great shape when you start lettering words!
I have some practice sheets using these exercises available in my Etsy Shop- here! As well as blank sheets with guide-lines here! Thanks so much for reading (&writing)! If you have questions, I am happy to help, just drop a comment below!
Lessons In Lettering 