Handwriting Single Brush Stroke Block Capitals

Preparation for class: Things to Consider and Think About...

• The natural tendency for every person beginning to learn how to hand letter is to try to do fancy flourishes before mastering simple strokes, thinking this would be preferable. It is best to learn simpler strokes first so that you can build a foundation of knowledge and technical proficiency.
•  If you take on too much at once, you could become frustrated and give up altogether far too early.
• Practice every letter and every stroke of every letter; practice them a hundred times, then begin again, for it is practice that counts. Master the strokes, then the letters, then the words, then begin to space out the phrases.

Tools:

• a square point brush, metal calligraphy tip or felt tip calligraphy marker
• a T square
• ink or watercolor if a felt tip calligraphy marker is not used
• a blotter of some sort
• stack of ruled paper for practice

Left, Single Brush Stroke, Block Capitals. Note the position of the brush -- held in the hand, between thumb and the forefinger, in much the same way you would hold a pen, letting the hand rest lightly on the small finger, which is slightly curved. The beginner will, with practice, find this very easy, and will soon get a free and easy motion. Do not work the fingers, but allow the hand to have a free movement from the muscles of the forearm with the small finger to steady it. Right, the proper way to hold a brush when ruling a line. The three finger tips are held easily to the edge of the square, and the corner of the brush is allowed to rest on the paper, making a line the required thickness as the hand is drawn from top to bottom (always toward yourself.) The flat edge of the brush can be used when a thick line is required, or in making large letters. You will not to use the T square for now, just practice getting the strokes and curves of your letters during practice for now.

Process:

• Bring a printed version of the sheet below to class or use it in your home to begin with. Make sure it is printed boldly! You may slip this sheet under your first attempts in order to guide your strokes.
• After using the sample alphabet as a tracing guide many times. Remove it and look at the letters while practicing the strokes on your own.
• Play relaxing music while you practice.
  

Study Online:

• Roman Capitals Calligraphy Video by Pamela Regina
• Roman Alphabet - Calligraphy by Hoang and Brush Lettering by Hoang

Plate No. 1. Single Brush Stroke Block - Capitals. note the direction of making letters are shown with arrows.