(Left) Upstroke and Downstroke Practice Sheet (Credit Becca C. Rafter) @ The Happily Every Crafter (Right) My finished practice sheet for the Upstroke and Downstroke Stroke.
As you see in the sheet, this week the Up and Downstroke practice sheet looks a little different. The first three lines are traced, and the last three lines are freehand. When I was tracing the first line, my hands were still shaky but not as much. I felt that I did have better control of the brush pen since I found my grip. I’m able to concentrate better on doing the strokes.
The downstroke, which is the second line, which has a heavy, thick stroke was easy, but I didn’t want to rush it. Even what appears to be an easy stroke deserves just as much attention as the other. This course is to solidify and master the basic calligraphy stroke. These are the building blocks to write words.
The last line is a combination of heavy and light strokes; it was rough. There’s no sugar coating it. I completely fell apart during the freehand. They look like little baby cobra snakes. 🐍😂
Honestly, I was going to post it because I was embarrassed by that last line up of light and dark strokes, but this is part of the journey to learning calligraphy. It’s not always beautiful in the beginning. It takes time to learn. If you are practicing calligraphy like me and see this and your practice drills look like what I posted below. There’s nothing to be embarrassed or feel defeated about.
Whether it’s learning calligraphy or any new skill, decide to go all in. A year, six months or even three months from now, it will look a lot different. We will feel more confident, happy, and excited about our progress. From where we started to where we are now.
Tomorrow is another chance to improve, one stroke at a time.
