Technique / 10 minute exercise
Find the light-to-heavy transition
A flexible brush pen changes width with pressure and contact angle. Pressure should change gradually through a turn, not jump abruptly at the very bottom.
Take it step by step
- Hold the brush at an angle so part of its side can touch the paper. Avoid driving the point straight down into the sheet.
- Make several light rising strokes. Then try descending strokes with moderate pressure. Increase only enough to see a difference; do not crush the tip.
- Join a heavy descent to a light ascent in a U shape. Begin easing pressure before reaching the bottom so the turn stays smooth.
- Reverse the movement for an overturn. Build pressure after passing the top of the curve. Let the tool move slowly enough for the tip to recover.
Your turn
Try this on paper
Make three rows of five U shapes. On the first row explore pressure; on the second keep width consistent; on the third focus only on releasing pressure through the turn.
Make a practice sheet →Before you move on
Is the thinnest part clean rather than shaky from gripping too hard?
Repeat the exercise if you want to. Marking a lesson complete records your practice, not a claim of mastery.
Progress stays in this browser, on this device.