Welcome to Part 3 of my Basic Brush Calligraphy Strokes series!
If you are new to this series, I highly encourage you to get yourself a brush pen and begin practicing with me. If you are on Instagram, share your work by posting it with the hashtag, #pieces_basicstrokes.
Before you get started, be sure to familiarize yourself with these previous posts:
- Brush pens recommended for beginners
- Holding your brush pen properly
- Facing your brush pen in the right direction
Last week, we started off the basic strokes series with the underturn stroke. Now, let’s talk about the overturn stroke!
What is the overturn stroke?
The overturn stroke is an upside-down u-shaped stroke. It starts with a thin upstroke (hairline) from the baseline, reaches the waistline and curves back down, transitioning into a thick downstroke and ending with full pressure at the baseline.
How to create the overturn stroke
To create the overturn stroke, you’ll want to start at the baseline and begin making a thin upstroke.
To create the thin upstroke, or “hairline,” use little to no pressure on your brush pen.
As you approach the waistline, create a curve toward the right that resembles an upside-down u-shape. Touch the waistline, and then begin making your way down toward the baseline.
Once you are drawing your stroke downwards toward the baseline, slowly transition from thin to thick. By the time you reach the baseline, your stroke should be the full thickness.
You may be shaky at first, or unfamiliar with how the stroke should feel as you create it. But as always, practice makes progress. I share practice drills at the end of this post for you to work on.
When to use the overturn stroke
The overturn stroke is used in the letters: m and n.
Practice Drills
Do these practice drills to improve your overturn stroke.
Don’t worry about being perfect or creating strokes that are completely free of any shakiness. Shakiness is expected in the beginning! When you are still learning the brush pen and when you go slow (which you SHOULD), then shakiness is normal.
The key with the overturn stroke is to maintain the thinness of your upstroke until you reach the waistline, and also through the curve. Do not begin transitioning to thick until after you have touched the waistline AND began the downstroke.
Try these practice drills. Focus on the position of your hand, your grip, your technique, and the forming of the stroke.
- Overturn stroke: Fill a page with overturn strokes. Try to make your strokes the same size, width, and angle. After a couple of overturn strokes, review them and think about how you can improve for the next set.
- Connecting overturn strokes: Connect overturns to each other without any breaks in between. Go slow at first, but try to find a rhythm as you write. This rhythm will help you immensely as you begin to write more. Note: lift your pen completely off the page before starting the next stroke. The idea is to draw the strokes so they appear to be connected, but in actuality, you are creating each stroke individually.
If you mess up, keep going. Focus on the next stroke. Remember that you will only improve when you keep on practicing and experimenting and learning.
Video: The overturn Stroke
Watch the video below to see a demonstration of the overturn stroke and practice drills you can start today!
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It’s your turn! Tell me in a comment below:
Have you tried the overturn stroke? How would you describe your experiences so far?
What is the hardest part about the overturn stroke for you?
Are you sharing your work on Instagram? Be sure to share by tagging #pieces_basicstrokes!
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Cheers,
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