Downstroke

{  A thick, downward stroke made with heavy pressure in brush lettering. }

Downstroke

What is a Downstroke?

In brush lettering, a downstroke is a thick, broad stroke created by applying heavy pressure to the brush pen. Downstrokes are drawn in a downward motion and work in contrast to upstrokes to form balanced letter shapes. Together, upstrokes and downstrokes are the foundation of brush lettering.

Together, upstrokes and downstrokes are the foundation of brush lettering.

How to Make a Brush Pen Downstroke

Demonstrating drawing the heavy downstroke with a brush pen
Brush pen downstroke demonstration with a large brush pen.

With your brush pen in position, apply firm pressure and draw the stroke downwards. This typically applies to all strokes that start at the x-height or ascender and move downward. The pressure you apply should create a thick line that contrasts with the thin, light upstrokes.