Basic Strokes
Basic strokes are the most fundamental. They are the building blocks of all letters.
This page is meant to be used to supplement the basic stroke practice sheets.
Downstroke
Notice how the brush tip bends as you drag the pen down to produce a thick stroke.
Upstroke
Gently glide your pen tip up on your paper. When only the tip of the brush pen touches the paper, a thin stroke is produced.
As simple as they may seem, these two strokes highlight the golden principle in this form of calligraph.
Downward stroke movement = thick stroke (apply pressure)
Upward stroke movement = thin stroke (gentle/ no pressure)
Overturn
Start with a thin upstroke, and transit to a thick downstroke, forming a inverted ‘U’ shape.
Underturn
Start with a thick downstroke, and transit to a thin upstroke, forming a ‘U’ shape.
Notice how as we are creating these two strokes, we are still following the golden principle of thick downstroke, thin upstroke.
Compound Curve
Now, we combine overturn and underturn, forming a compound curve.
Oval
Take a good look at the direction of the stroke in order to form a smooth oval.
Ascender
Make a thin loop up and transit with a straight downstroke.
Descender
Start with a thick straight downstroke, and make a loop up with thin stroke.