The same method of using alternating \u2018pressure\u2019 applies to both styles. Upstrokes are thin, requiring less pressure on the pen, while downstrokes are thicker strokes, requiring you to press your brush pen down with additional force.<\/p>\n
Brush pen lettering is ideal for beginners as it\u2019s easier to learn and generally offers greater control when sculpting your letters. As your writing hand isn\u2019t tied by the strict rules of classic calligraphy, such as the spacing and slanting of your letters, brush lettering encourages you to blot creativity and expression from pen to paper.<\/p>\n
For example, you can experiment with different kinds of textures and opt for a more \u201cplayful\u201d look, in which the letters don\u2019t all sit on the same line or aren\u2019t consistently spaced out.<\/p>\n
Tips for getting started with brush lettering<\/h2>\nBrush lettering pens<\/h3>\n
Another fantastic lure about brush pen calligraphy is that you don\u2019t need expensive equipment to pursue your love of hand lettering. All you need to learn brush pen lettering are two essential tools \u2013 brush pens<\/a> and paper- and the appetite for practice.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s start with the anatomy of a brush pen. Brush pens have become very popular in the calligraphy community, with hundreds to choose from. At first glance, they may look like a regular marker, but they\u2019re designed to imitate the feel and fluidity you get with a watercolour paintbrush.<\/p>\n Brush pen tips are made from different materials. Tips made from natural hair bristles or synthetic fibre hairs are soft and flexible, closely mimicking the behaviour of a brush. A felt tip is much firmer and a sensible choice for newcomers as it offers superior control.<\/p>\n Synthetic and natural hair brush tips are usually more challenging to control as they react more quickly to changes in pressure but can deliver some striking and juicy heavyweight strokes.<\/p>\n Other factors to consider include the elasticity of your brush and its size. The springier the bristles, the quicker the tip will return to its original shape when lifted from the page. The elasticity will also affect line thickness.<\/p>\n Brush pens are typically labelled as either \u2018fine\u2019 or \u2018broad\u2019 to suit variable stroke widths. Broad tips are great for bold, dramatic downstrokes, while fine tips are perfect for putting the devil in detail.<\/p>\n Of course, you can only get to grips with your shiny, new brush pen once you\u2019ve got some paper to adorn with unique squiggles, beautiful letters, and wavy brushstrokes. Most types of paper are compatible for beginning your brush calligraphy journey, but quality pays \u2013 the smoother, the better.<\/p>\n Smoother paper won\u2019t fray your brush pens, allowing them to glide effortlessly across the surface for maximum cleanliness and precision. HP laserjet paper is a cost-effective option for practicing brush calligraphy letters while keeping your pens in tip-top shape.<\/p>\n The ink in your pen can also influence your choice of brush pen. Brush pen ink can be dye-based or pigmented.<\/p>\n Dye-based ink means that the colourant is dissolved into the ink solution, which is ideal if you want to combine colours and get creative with blending effects. That\u2019s right, brush calligraphy isn\u2019t only restricted to the formalities of black and blue. You can take your artwork and sketches to gaudy heights thanks to the many vivid colours found in brush pens.<\/p>\n On the other hand, pigment inks have tiny, insoluble particles that don\u2019t dissolve completely. However, -based ink possesses much higher lightfastness ratings, aka an increased resistance to fading and is quick to dry. Depending on the project you\u2019re working on, for example, a birthday card or scrapbook, you\u2019ll want to know your brush pen\u2019s lightfast ability. You\u2019ll also need to check if the ink is waterproof or non-waterproof to avoid those dreaded smudges.<\/p>\n Finally, look out for the ink flow. Measured as wet, medium, or dry, the width at the base of the nib will also indicate your brush calligraphy pen\u2019s ink flow. Wet tips have a higher ink surge and produce consistent, rich lines, even if you\u2019re writing against time.<\/p>\n At the other end of the spectrum, you can linger dry tips on the paper for some delightful gestural effects. \u00a0Just be mindful that they can create streaks of uneven ink distribution.<\/p>\n Now that you\u2019re excited and ready to start brush lettering, here are a trio of tips to help you brush up on your technique.<\/p>\n With authentic black ink flowing serenely no matter how hard you push, the Sailor 1911 brush pen<\/a> is a comfortable size for beginners and experts alike. The synthetic brush tip offers excellent line variation for many expressions and is refillable using the Sailor brush pen cartridges<\/a>.<\/p>\n Available in a staggering 95 colours, the water-based Tombow ABT brush pen<\/a> is an endless palette of shades and tones. It\u2019s a little different as it has two nibs, one at each end of the pen (one being a flexible nylon brush tip and the other a finer felt tip). The two nibs allow you to create different designs using the same pen. A blender pen is also available to help you make stunning blending effects on your illustrations.<\/p>\nBrush lettering paper<\/h3>\n
Ink and colour<\/h3>\n
Perfecting your brush pen calligraphy letters<\/h2>\n
![\"Traditional](\"https:\/\/www.thepencompany.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/bigstock-Traditional-Chinese-Calligraph-443768681-3-1-1.jpg\")
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Our favourite brush pens<\/h2>\n
Sailor 1911 Brush Pen<\/h3>\n
Tombow ABT Brush Pen<\/h3>\n