Tag: calligraphy

#lettermore2018 April Promps

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April

Looking for some help to practice your new hobby more regularly?

Join in on these fun weekly prompts!
Use whatever pens you have on hand, create something beautiful, snap a picture, and post it to Instagram with the hashtag #lettermore2018!

It can be really difficult to know what to write when you’re getting started with calligraphy (well, and when you’ve been doing it for a long time too).

April Prompts

Week One: Use the word SPRING somehow

Choose a phrase that has the word spring in it. You can always search for phrases on Pinterest. Think, “Spring is in the air” or “A kind word is like a spring day”.
You get to be creative with this one!

Week Two: Community Over Competition

If you’ve been following along for a while, then you know I’m all about community over competition. I want us all to say a big fat NO to the comparison game. So, in your caption be sure to share about your experience with the calligraphy community (or any community that has had an impact on you!). Think positive!

Week Three: Practice a word with double letters (ex. happy, coffee, good)

This is a good exercise that should challenge you a little bit! Double letters have a way of challenging the way you think about connecting letters together. Bonus points if your word has more than one set of double letters, like coffee!

Week Four: Post your lowercase alphabet.

I have a feeling that some of you may be avoiding some of what I call the “dreaded letters”. You can’t avoid them forever! Create, photograph, and post your FULL lowercase alphabet. You can write all the letters connected together in one line or create a page full of colorful letters. Once again, you get to be creative!

Be sure to post your work to Instagram, use the hashtag #lettermore2018, and tag me (@lysstyler.letters) in your post as well!
I can’t wait to see what you create!

 

Are you joining in?!
Come tell us on Instagram & see who else is joining, too!

Tips for Conquering Creative Block.

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Creative Block

Learn to rest, not to quit.
Easier said than done, am I right?!

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If (or should I say when?) you get exhausted and creativity becomes a struggle or frustration, step back. Don’t give up! You can always take a break, try something different, and search for more sources or inspiration.

Here are some things to try when you feel like quitting:

-Look for new inspiration in other artists, in nature, or on Pinterest.

I feel that I should start this off by saying that I am not suggesting you copy anyone else’s art. I am suggesting that you find inspiration. I prefer looking for artists with different mediums or styles than me, but a similar heart or purpose. For example, I mainly do brush calligraphy but I find a lot of inspiration through illustrators, graphic designers, and style bloggers. I search for colors, designs, photography, and words that speak to me!

I feel that searching for other types of artists helps me to think out of the box, but it also helps me to stay away from comparison. I have found that comparing my work to other people has always drained my creativity. It has made me feel less than and taken the joy out of art. As Lara Casey says, “Living on purpose turns comparison and coveting into compassion and cheering on. When you are living on purpose, it doesn’t matter what someone else’s journey looks like. We are all in this together.”

-Look through some of your earliest creations

Even if you’ve only been working on calligraphy (or whatever creative outlet you’ve been trying!) for a few months, if you look back at all you’ve created you will find some progress! Notice that what we are looking for here is NOT extreme progress, advanced skill level, or perfection – we are only look for SOME progress.

Here is an example from my own brush calligraphy experience.

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August 2015

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February 2018

-Revisit the goals/purpose of your creative business or hobby

Sometimes when I’m feeling frustrated or drained of creativity, I find that I’ve lost focus on what’s important. It’s easy to get caught up in so many different things: Instagram followers, Etsy sales, Facebook likes, and so many other things. But none of these things are the reason you started this creative endeavor in the first place.

Pause and think about it. Why did you start this hobby? What has kept you pursuing it?

For me, I started calligraphy in an effort to relieve some stress. Over the last few years, it has consistently been a wonderful way for me to relax. I started teaching other people the art of brush calligraphy because I want to share that joy and rest with as many others as I can! This is the focus. Think back on why you started and revisit those initial moments of joy!

-Try a new/different hobby

Another great way to fuel creativity is through trying something new. Once I started my career as a first grade teacher, I started to lose some enthusiasm for calligraphy and focus on the wrong things. I would post my creations and wonder why no one liked what I was making. It was stripped of joy and I felt like there was nothing I could do.

I decided to take a watercolor floral class (and ended up also going to a Monvoir Workshop!) and found a renewed excitement for color theory and design. I also signed up for a cookie decorating class, which used my skills in another way. It also showed me that it was fun to challenge myself (I’m not a very consistent baker). I’ve also recently signed up for the #HOMwork challenges, which is full of prompts meant to challenge you creatively.

And, in most cases, I came running back to calligraphy because I’ve found it’s something that I’m good at. But I come back with a new variety of skills and understandings that can be used to improve my art!

-Step back, don’t create, and come back when you’re ready!

There is nothing wrong with taking a break. Especially when you really need it. Don’t push yourself to create when you are totally drained. Come back when you feel that joy again. This might be a week, it could be a month, or even longer.

Taking a break will remove a lot of that pressure that you keep putting on yourself. You don’t need to choose the length before you start. When you feel ready, pick it back up again!

None of these methods are perfect, but they are good to try when you’re feeling creatively drained. It takes a lot of energy to be creative. Don’t let yourself burn out!

I’d love to hear from you!
What are your favorite ways to conquer creative block? 
Leave a COMMENT below or come SHARE on this post!

The party is on Instagram!
Come hang out on Instagram for more brush calligraphy tips & pep talks!

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5 Tips For Starting Up An Etsy Shop

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When I originally started calligraphy (in 2015), I had no idea that I would eventually start an etsy shop, blog, or website. I actually started out by posting my practice on Instagram. When I got my first supplies, I wanted to post pictures of my calligraphy without my friends and family seeing it. I can be really shy about learning something new and I’m also kinda sensitive. I didn’t want anyone to tell me I wasn’t very good at it and I was fine with having a “secret hobby” anyway.

I started to post my practice and found out there were a lot of other people learning calligraphy online as well. I fell into a random community that I never knew existed. I started getting followers and #calligrafriends from all around. After a few months of practice, I decided to try and make some greeting cards. I downloaded a free trial of Adobe Illustrator and scanned some of my lettering. I made an ice cream cone that said “melt my heart”. A lot of my friends started to find my calligraphy instagram and multiple people told me they wanted a copy of the ice cream cone print. This is when I thought I might be able to open up an Etsy shop!

In my first year on Etsy, I sold a few things. I had a lot of different cards and prints. Ones that I made randomly and simply posted up there, hoping someone would magically find them and buy them. I continued to post on Instagram, but I also had no idea what I was doing. A friend of a friend asked me to calligraph addresses on her wedding envelopes. This was both terrifying and amazing to me. I was still in school at the time and it was just crazy to me that I might be able to make money just by writing on things!

It wasn’t until the beginning of 2016 that I started to learn and understand how to build up an Etsy store and how to market your work properly! I feel there is a fine balance between focusing on selling your artwork and continuing in your own creative process. Because I have experienced highs and lows on Etsy, I wanted to share some tips for those of you who may be thinking of starting your own shop in the future!

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  1. Start with a narrow focus.
    I think one of the biggest issues that people have starting out on Etsy is an unfocused product line. You may think that the more things you have on your Etsy, the more things you will sell. This is not necessarily true. Don’t overdo it. Pick a few things and start with those. I would not start with more than ten items in your shop. The more focused you are, the more you will be attract your ideal client.
    If you are a beginning calligrapher, you can start with greeting cards, prints, or wedding calligraphy services. You might start out with specific listings – for example a basic print option with a set verse or phrase that you like. You can always set your Etsy shop to allow requests for custom orders. You may even add in your listing, “send me a message if you are interested in a similar style, but with a different word or phrase”. This allows you to make less items up front and still offer what your potential customer may be looking for.

    You may think that the more things you have on your Etsy, the more things you will sell. This is not necessarily true.
    The more focused you are, the more you will attract your ideal client.

  2. Build your following on other platforms.
    It’s important to build up a following online before (or while) you start up your Etsy shop. There are many different places and ways to build up your following and it all depends on what you’re hoping to accomplish. Here are some of my favorite platforms that I’ve been able to use the most to build up potential clients:Email List. An email list is a great way to keep people connected with your products and services. The most efficient way to get people to sign up for an email list is to offer something that would be valuable to a potential customer. For example, I offer a free alphabet practice sheet because the people that I help the most are those who want to learn brush lettering on their own.
    I created my email list on MailChimp and 100% recommend it. Use this link to sign up for your MailChimp account and receive a $30 credit!

    Instagram. Instagram is totally free and a very simple way to start finding others interested in what you’re making. It’s important to post regularly, authentically, and with the focus of your overall brand on your Instagram account. Focus less on finding new followers and more on showcasing who you are and what you want to sell. It can take a while to build up a following on Instagram, but don’t be discouraged. Connect yourself with other calligraphers on Instagram and put on a giveaway together. This is a great way to gain new followers, especially ones that are interested in what you are creating!
    I’ve found that the more authentic, real, and consistent I am on Instagram, the more followers I gain. Don’t get greedy about followers- you can have thousands of followers and still make no sales. Remember that you are hoping to attract potential clients and you don’t need to have a million followers to do that.

    Facebook    .
    There are two different ways to utilize Facebook.
    Pages – Create a page for your business. This gives you a way to connect your followers with new products and sales. You can also run adds specifically toward potential clients easily through Facebook (though I personally am not a fan of these).
    Groups – You can find groups to be a part of or create your own. I created a group for brush lettering beginners, which has been a great way to help others build up their calligraphy skills. It’s easy to connect with others and share ideas. I have also been a part of multiple other groups like ones for small business owners and calligraphers. These have really helped me to learn new tips and skills from other small business owners and formal calligraphers!

    Pinterest.
    Another great way to gain momentum (especially for a blog or visually appealing small business) is Pinterest! Pinterest is all about beautiful images. You’ll need to create some pin-worthy content to hold your own out there.
    I think it’s important for your pins to trigger some sort of a click – whether it takes the reader to a blog post, your email list, website, or a product. Your goal in using Pinterest is to bring people to your website – ideally your potential clients. You can also pin all of the images from your Instagram feed onto your Pinterest as well. This gives you even more content to share and will direct people to your Instagram feed.

  3. Give it time.
    I’ll be the first to say: I understand that you might feel like your Etsy shop will never take off and you’re frustrated with the progress (or lack of) so far. You honestly just have to be patient and keep at it!
    It takes consistency and diligence to build up a brand. It’s not going to happen over night.
  4. Don’t charge less than you deserve to attract customers.
    It can be tempting while you’re starting up your Etsy shop to have low prices. You might feel as though you aren’t experienced enough to charge very much or you may feel like the low prices will draw in sales. Regardless of your reasoning, be very careful about your pricing!
    Be sure that when you’re pricing a product you look at these factors:
    – The average cost of similar products and services
    – The cost of the materials used to create the product
    – The amount of time it took (or takes) to create the product
    – The cost of shipping + packaging materials
  5. Try new and different things – stick with the ones that work!
    As you’re building your brand and starting an Etsy shop, don’t be afraid to try different products. You might start out with greeting cards or prints, but you may later offer envelope calligraphy, chalkboard signs, or custom mugs. Don’t be afraid to try something new! This will help you to find the products that do sell. (If this seems like it doesn’t go with #1, I simply mean to slowly add in and try different items. You don’t need to try them all at one time!)

I hope that these tips have been helpful for you as you’re starting out your creative business. This is not an exhaustive list of all the things you need to do to be sure that your Etsy shop will thrive, but these are five things that have worked for me. I would love to hear from you, please to leave a comment with your Etsy questions!

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How To Address Envelopes Faster & Better

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I recently purchased a new gadget for lettering and it is something that you should really consider grabbing for yourself!

In the grand scheme of lettering (and in life) I tend to avoid buying any extra gadgets or items that I will have to find a place for. I tend to make do with what I have. But, I had an Amazon gift card and decided to try out the Slider Writer.

I was thrilled to find that it absolutely lives up to all of the hype. I have always been the type of calligrapher who tries to avoid any pencil markings on my work. I dislike having to erase pencil marks as I feel that they still show no matter how lightly you drew them on. The Slider Writer allows you to create perfectly straight lines without marking your paper at all.

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Here’s how it works:

Grab your Slider Writer & some paper.
Line up your paper with various methods:
A) Clip it from the top of the slider writer
B) Use the provided rubber bands to hold your paper into place (especially if it is a smaller paper or envelope)
Slide the laser to the spot where you’d like to begin writing & turn it on.
Use the laser as a guide to write across the length of the paper.
Adjust the laser with each line.

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This is great for addressing envelopes, creating pieces that have various lines of words, or simply for practicing your calligraphy. I would recommend the Slider Writer for all calligraphers- beginners and advanced writers alike!

How does this make your envelope addressing faster & better?
You are able to create straight lines without pulling out a ruler, drawing on straight pencil lines, waiting for the ink to dry, & erasing off the pencil lines.
Instead of all of that – you can place the paper on the exact same guidelines each time & quickly calligraph your way through the whole stack of envelopes. The Slider Writer allows you to be more efficient and spend your time calligraphing rather than prepping and erasing.

Is there a calligraphy tool that you’ve found you just cannot live without? Leave a comment below to tell us about it so that we can grab our own!

Calligraphy Materials Pictured:

Higgins Eternal Black Ink
Nikko G Nib
Speedball Oblique Pen Holder
Tombow Fudenosuke Soft Tip Brush Pen
Rhodia Blank Notepad
Slider Writer

This page contains affiliate links.

Step Four: Get Started Working on Letter Connections

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LetterConnections

Did you miss the last post? Click here to go back!

Get Started Working on Letter Connections

In the last post, we talked about using the basic strokes to begin forming letters. Practicing your basic strokes and letters is about the best thing that you can do to improve your lettering and get more comfortable with it.

Lately, I have a lot of people who ask me how to connect letters together and make words have good spacing or look consistent together!

One of the important things to realize and remember about lettering is that it is not the same as cursive.When we write in cursive, we write quickly & do not lift our pen from the paper unless we are starting a new word. When we do calligraphy, we lift the pen between each and every stroke- even multiple times within the same letter. Calligraphy is not as quick as cursive by any means!

The picture below should give a visual representation of each time your pen should lift while you are writing the word “hello” – the little x’s divide up each individual stroke. You may also notice that across the word the little x marks almost line up into a line because you want your exit strokes for each letter to be at about the mid-line level. This will help you to connect the letters a little bit better & more consistently throughout your words.

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The x marks show where I lift the pen between & during each individual letter.

The letters shown above & below are more spaced out than they would normally be to emphasize the different places to pick up the pen. I think that it helps to see the different connection points – while you are practicing this I would challenge you to actually space out your letters like this prior to writing the word as you would like to. This will help your brain to get in the habit of picking up the pen between strokes/letters. It’s a foreign concept, especially if you are a frequent user of cursive!

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The x’s within the word “hello” seem to all be about on the same line- but in the word “welcome” it is not quite linear!

I hope that this has been a helpful post in helping you to start figuring out how to connect your letters together- a bit part of it is learning how to lift your pen between strokes and where to lift the pen at! As your exit strokes become more consistent & meet in the middle of the word- you will start to see your letter connections improve!

Materials:

Crayola Markers*

 *Affiliate links are used in this post.

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The TWO things you need to start lettering!

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TwoThingsToStart

When you first start lettering it can seem overwhelming to see all the different kinds of brush pens & supplies that are circulating out there.
What do I actually need to get started?

When I first started lettering I didn’t have a lot of money to spend on supplies, but I wanted to try different pens. The brush pens that I was able to find were not very cheap and I had a really hard time using them. A lot of the pens available at local stores were very difficult to manage and I thought that I would not be able to do brush lettering at all.

Now that I have been lettering for over a year, I feel like I’m able to give beginners a pretty good idea of the supplies that they will need to get started with!

ONE. A brush pen or two.
I think the temptation is to purchase multiple brush pens of all different kinds because you are excited about getting started. I can’t blame you for that because I definitely did the same thing. The downside to this is that you are more likely to ruin your brush pens because you haven’t quite learned how to hold them or use them yet. I recommend buying one or two brush pens to get started with and/or even beginning with a Crayola marker!
Click on the photo below to find what I think are the three best pens for beginners:

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TWO. Soft paper!
Once you have some brush pens, it is important to take great care of them! The Tombow Dual Brush Pens* are often some of the most popular pens around, but they are easily frayed and can be ruined just by writing on one wrong sheet of paper. The best paper that I can recommend to you are the Rhodia Notepads*. The paper is quite possibly the smoothest you’ll ever feel and comes in many different sizes. These are available in blank, dot grid, and grid styles!

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Once you have started to learn how to hold the pen, practice basic strokes, and begin to feel comfortable when building your letters THEN you should move toward buying some more brush pens. There are a lot of things out there on the market that it may feel like you NEED, but if you are looking to try a new hobby and spend the smallest amount of cash possible- I recommend buying a brush pen and a dot pad to get yourself ready!

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Beyond those items, you may want to purchase an online class or a lettering guide to help you learn the basics. You can also look for calligraphy workshops within your local area!

*This post includes affiliate links.

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Brush Pen Spotlight: Zig Clean Color

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In my last post I listed what I think are three of the best brush pens for beginning letterers. Click here to check that out if you want to see!

I thought I would highlight some of my favorite things about each of these pens by doing brush pen spotlights!

First up is the Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pen (longest name ever, I know).

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The tip of this pen is made with actual bristles – so you are able to get a very brush-like look without having to dip your “brush” into ink over and over. How you use the pen controls the amount of white space is included in your lettering.

Something that I LOVE about this pen is the fact that you can create so many different styles with this one pen. Your lines can be thick or thin, fully pigmented or given a brushed texture, and there are plenty of colors to choose from!

Here are some examples of the various types of lettering that can be achieved using the same pen (simply in different colors):

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The whole reason letterers tend to buy a lot of different kinds of brush pens is to get a new look in their lettering. That’s what makes this pen so amazing! In one single pen, there are so many different styles of letters possible!

The way to create such different letters?
– Vary in the amount of pressure used on your down strokes.
– Use a greater/lesser area of the (side of the) brush tip when creating strokes
– Leave more space between your letters
– Write slowly so that the pigment flows evenly throughout your letters (for more of a pen look)
– Write quickly, not waiting for the ink to catch up to get more of a brush look to the lettering (see red letters above writing “brush” for an example of this)

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Now, these pens are called Zig Clean Colors- so I know you’d expect there to be a lot of different colors. These colors are vibrant and very fun, as well!

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You can purchase a set of 12 pens like the one that I have for the variety shown above – minus the black pen, which is also included!

Like I said in the previous post, this pen was a unanimous favorite among my friends who were beginners interested in trying out different brush pens. It’s size is a big reason why it’s so easy to learn with. This pen is quite small in comparison to other brush pens and the tip is short. The shorter the tip of a pen, the easier it is for beginners to manage (for the most part). It will help you to master the muscle memory of lettering. These pens aren’t only for beginners, though. As you begin to increase in your lettering knowledge, it becomes more fun to play with them and see what different styles you are able to create!

What do you think of the Zig Clean Color’s? Have you tried them already? Or do you think there is a better beginner pen out there? Let me know!

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The THREE best brush pens for beginners.

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The Best Brush Pens For Beginners

The question I get asked most frequently is, “What are the best brush pens for beginners?”
You’ve asked and you shall receive! Here are three brush pens that I will always recommend for beginners. These are tried and true – I’ve given these to workshop students and friends who wanted to learn and all of them have received great reviews!
Don’t forget, you can also start with Crayola markers.

The Best Brush Pens for Beginners

Pentel Fude Touch
The Best Brush Pens for BeginnersThis pen is always my first recommendation for beginners. The Pentel Fude Touch is the size of a regular pen, it has a short & flexible tip, and it comes in many different colors. A small pen is ideal for those who are just getting started because it is easiest to manage. I love that I can write more words in a smaller area while I’m using this brush pen. The tip is firm enough that it’s great for beginners, but still has a brush pen’s flexibility. This is the pen that will come along with your Brush Calligraphy Guide when you purchase one!

Zig Clean Color
IMG_9020Here we have another great brush pen for beginners, the Zig Clean Color. This is also a small pen, but instead of a felt tip (one solid tip), this pen has bristles. That makes this pen more like a paint brush than the other two pens I’m featuring here. This pen is also available in many different colors – more than the Pentel Fude Touch. It is small enough that it is easy to manage, but has a very flexible tip, which gives your thicker and fuller letters. The bristles help to create a more brush-like feel to your letters. I highly recommend you try this one out!

Tombow Fudenosuke Soft Tip
IMG_9017Last but not least, we have the Tombow Fude, Soft Tip. This pen is almost indistinguishable from the Pentel Fude Touch, but it only comes in one color. There are two variations of this pen: soft and hard tip. Both of them are great options for beginners! The tip of this pen is slightly longer than that of the Pentel Fude Touch, which makes some newbies choose it as their favorite! Once again, this pen is small and easier to manage than other brush pens might be. This is another pen that often comes with my Brush Calligraphy Guide.

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I would love your input!
Have you tried any of these brush pens before? Did you love ’em or hate ’em?

Every artist is different and you may think that bigger pens are better for beginners! I am not about putting brush calligraphers into a small box, only looking for ways to help other people as they get started. I started with larger pens and struggled for a long time to gain control over my brush pens. These are three of my favorite brush pens for beginners (that I still use regularly), but that doesn’t mean this is an exhaustive list!

 

Looking for more tips and brush pens to try? Come follow along on Instagram where I post most regularly!

PS. Grab a FREE alphabet practice sheet here!

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Start Lettering with Crayola Markers.

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Did you miss the first step? Click here to start with step one!

So, you’ve got your Crayola markers* now. And I know what you were thinking…I had no idea that you could letter with Crayola markers when I first started! I thought that you had to have fancy brush pens to even remotely start brush lettering!

SO. Go grab those Crayola markers again. This time you’re going to create a few different kinds of strokes. These are the strokes that are a tiny little piece of the Brush Calligraphy Guide. You’re going to start with those first thin & thick strokes that I mentioned and then move to some new strokes!

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Now, I thought that perhaps you’re wondering HOW to create those thin and thick lines with a Crayola marker. I was right there with you, too! BUT hopefully this will help you.

When you are creating a THICK line you want to angle the pen (like shown in the photo below) so that a greater area of the pen will be touching the paper! You don’t want to use the tip and push the tip down for a thicker line- this won’t work as you will probably just bleed through the paper! If you tip the pen to the side, you’ll naturally be able to create a thicker line because there is a greater area to work with!

TIP: Focus on using the side of the tip of the pen so that more of the pen is touching the paper. It’s not about pushing down harder, but using a larger area of the pen.

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When you are creating a THIN line you can use the tip of the Crayola marker!
The trick for creating a thin line is to lighten up your pressure – pull up on your pen. While you use the side of the tip for thicker lines, focus on lightening up your pressure and moving toward using the tip of the pen for thin lines.

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So, here’s another important tip about lettering…

You do NOT need to be writing fast. The pace of lettering is much slower than writing in cursive. You can take your time transitioning between those thin and thick strokes. Take your time creating each letter (we will talk about building letters soon, but not quite yet!). Don’t feel like you need to write fast when you are lettering because it is actually a much slower process than you might think!

AND most important of all, be nice to yourself! You are learning something new and you won’t become a professional overnight! Have some grace with yourself and enjoy the process of learning a new skill. Have some of your friends join you in learning this new skill & encourage each other as you finally start to like the lines (or letters!) you create!

What’s next?!
Use the Basic Strokes to Build Letters
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*This post contains affiliate links

 

FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM.

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How to Start Lettering.

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First Step

One of the things that people tell me the most often is this: “I’ve been really wanting to start learning calligraphy, but I just don’t even know where to begin!”

I totally agree with you there. When you want to learn something new, it’s really hard to take that very first step. It may seem like a huge task to get started with hand lettering, but it doesn’t need to be!

Do you want to know a secret about hand lettering? It has nothing to do with the supplies that you have. WHAT? I know! I was pretty surprised when I realized that, too. Brush lettering has more to do with how you use a pen to create specific lines. You can use a PENCIL to create calligraphy with the right amount of pressure. It’s all about your technique. And it is something that anyone can learn!

So, what is the first step? I know that’s what you’re wondering.

THE FIRST STEP:
Grab a Crayola marker (I’m assuming you have one lying around the house somewhere).
Practice creating thin and thick lines with your marker. Simply make some small, straight lines. Try to create a thick line when you are heading down the paper. Then, attempt to create thinner lines when you go up the paper. Don’t feel like you need to move on to a next step quite yet. Simply try to create these two variations of lines. Thin lines and thick lines. These will be essential for your lettering.

Creating THICK lines: [Also known as downstrokes] Hold the pen at an angle. You want the side of the tip of the pen to lay flat on the paper (usually you write with the tip, but you want to angle it so that a greater surface area of the pen touches the paper!). Put pressure on the pen as you are creating the line so that the line created is larger than usual!

Creating THIN lines: [Also known as upstrokes] Begin to lift up that pressure that you would use for a thick line (or downstroke). For a thin line, you may transition to hold the pen as you “normally” would. You want to use a smaller portion of the pen (most likely the tip) so that the result is a thinner line!

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Don’t worry about creating letters or words quite yet. I know that it can be hard to wait, but focus on these basic strokes until you feel as though you’ve been able to master the variation between thin and thick lines!

This can also be done with a pencil or pen around the house, just to practice putting pressure during downstrokes and lifting pressure during upstrokes.