How Brush Lettering Works
The fundamental principle is simple: apply pressure on downstrokes to widen the brush tip, and reduce pressure on upstrokes so the tip springs back to a narrow point. This creates the characteristic thick-thin contrast that defines the look of brush lettering without any nib angle mechanics.
The Two Core Strokes
Every brush-lettered character is built from two stroke types:
- Thick downstroke — The brush moves toward the writer with the tip flattened by pressure. This corresponds to all strokes that travel downward on the letter.
- Thin upstroke — The brush moves away from the writer with minimal pressure, using only the tip. This applies to entry strokes, connecting strokes, and any upward movement.
The transition between the two — called the "overturn" and "underturn" — is where most of the technical difficulty lies. An overturn stroke starts thin at the top, thickens through the curve, and thins again at the bottom. The underturn is the mirror: starts thick, thins through the curve, stays thin.
Choosing a Brush Pen
Brush pens fall into two groups: hard-tip and soft-tip. The distinction matters practically, not just in feel.
Hard-Tip Brush Pens
Hard-tip pens have a rigid nylon tip that resists lateral movement. The range of pressure required to go from thin to thick is smaller, making control more achievable for new practitioners. The Tombow Fudenosuke (both soft and hard versions — the "hard" black cap is recommended for beginners), Pentel Fude Touch Sign Pen, and Pilot Fude-makase are in this category. All are available at Staples, Michaels, and Curry's Art Store locations across Canada.
Soft-Tip Brush Pens
Soft-tip pens behave more like a traditional pointed brush. The tip splays significantly under pressure and requires deliberate control to return to a point. The Tombow Dual Brush Pen (the large-tip end) and Pentel Arts Brush Pen fall here. These are the standard choice for larger-scale work and for writers who have already established pressure control on hard-tip pens.
Paper Selection
Paper quality has a significant effect on brush lettering results. Very textured or absorbent papers cause the ink to bleed, blurring the edge between thick and thin strokes. For practice, smooth-surface paper is preferable:
- HP laser printer paper — widely available, smooth enough for hard-tip brush pens. Found at any office supply retailer.
- Rhodia dot pad — a smooth, bleed-resistant paper popular for brush pen practice. Available at Staples Canada and art suppliers.
- Canson Marker paper — designed to prevent bleed-through, works well with most brush pens.
- Hot-press watercolour paper — for finished work with water-based brush pen ink (Tombow Dual, etc.), this gives clean edges and slightly textured results.
Basic Letterform Structure
Brush lettering typically uses a modified script or cursive letter structure rather than traditional calligraphic alphabets. The key difference from regular cursive handwriting is that the pressure rules are applied consistently:
- Every stroke going downward (descending toward the baseline) is thick — regardless of the stroke's position in the letter
- Every stroke going upward (ascending from the baseline) is thin
- Horizontal strokes are thin by convention in most brush lettering styles
This means a letter like lowercase 'n' has a thin entry upstroke, a thick downstroke from the first stem, a thin overturn connecting to the second stem, and a thick downstroke finishing the letter. The rhythm of pressure changes across a single letter can be practiced in isolation before joining letters into words.
Applying Brush Lettering to Handwritten Notes
The practical challenge with handwritten notes is that brush lettering is slow compared to normal handwriting. The most effective approach is to use brush lettering selectively:
- Write names, dates, and headings in brush lettering
- Use regular cursive or printed handwriting for body text
- Reserve full brush-lettered text for short messages — greeting cards, envelopes, short notes
For cards and envelopes specifically, practicing on guide sheets (printed or ruled lightly in pencil) helps maintain consistent slant and x-height before the final piece. Guide sheets can be printed from resources published by the Lettering Arts Trust.
Ink and Refillable Options
Most brush pens are sealed cartridge systems. For refillable options, the Pentel Aquash water brush can be filled with any water-soluble ink or diluted watercolour. This allows colour flexibility that fixed cartridge pens do not offer. Winsor & Newton and Daniel Smith inks are available through Opus Art Supplies (British Columbia, Alberta) and Deserres (Quebec, Ontario) for this purpose.
External References
- IAMPETH — Historical penmanship resources including brush work
- Opus Art Supplies — Canadian retailer with brush pen and ink selection