Day 22 — Finding the Rhythm | Upstrokes & Downstrokes

I'm in the last week of the 30-day free calligraphy class. I'm having the best time learning the art of beautiful writing. I feel very comfortable performing Upstrokes (light) and Downstrokes (heavy). The third combination of light and downstrokes, I can say that I'm getting there. This week I performed several strokes correctly. I was shocked and on the video, you can hear me gasp in delight. In my mind, I was screaming. "Yes, I did it!!! I FINALLY DID IT!!!  

I'm not ashamed to admit it. I paused the video and cried. I was so happy because this stroke really seemed to elude me. No matter how many times I tried, I just couldn't get it right. On my last week of class, it finally started coming together.  

I had another teaching moment. I switched up pens by accident. When I did three of the combination light and downstrokes, the pen started splitting while I was live on camera. I quickly switched back to the soft tip pen I was using (non-splitting) and finished my practice session. When I was done with filming, I made a second video about a common problem that happens with many beginner/novice calligraphers and that is splitting. You can watch the full video below.  

For those of us who are newbies to calligraphy or any new craft/hobby, our progress may feel invisible when you look at today's page but compare it to where you started. The difference between your first stroke and your latest one is proof that growth is happening. Never forget how far you've already come.