Calligraphic Drawing

CHAPTER TWO

BASIC STROKES AND FLOURISHES

Freedom of movement is the foundation to good flourishing. In order to achieve a lively, artistic stroke, your drawing hand and arm must be free from “death grips” on your pen or cramps that can hinder a confident stroke. Try these exercises first in pencil to loosen up, but move on to nib and ink as soon as you can.

START TO LOOSEN UP

Grasp your pencil or nib holder lightly and move from your elbow and shoulder to swoop your strokes across the page. The drawing motion doesn’t come from the fingers or wrist in these exercises; instead, every exercise should be accomplished using your entire arm in a speedy ...