Underturn Stroke

{  A U-shaped basic brush lettering stroke with varied pressure. }

Underturn Brush Lettering Stroke
Underturn Brush Lettering Stroke

What is an Underturn Stroke?

The underturn stroke is a fundamental element in brush lettering, forming part of basic practice drills. Shaped like a “U,” this stroke can span from the baseline to the x-height or even the ascender, depending on how it’s used. You’ll commonly find the underturn stroke in both lowercase and uppercase letters, such as the letter “U,” as well as in connecting strokes between letters.

The Overturn Stroke demonstrated with a large brush pen

The opposite of the Underturn Stroke is

Overturn Stroke

How to Make an Underturn Stroke

Brush lettering Oval Stroke Drill with Winterbird
Underturn stroke demonstration with a Karin Brushmarker Pro brush pen.

With your brush pen in position, create a smooth, heavy downstroke that curves gently to the right. As you reach the bottom of the stroke, transition seamlessly into a light upstroke, completing the U-shaped form. The key to mastering the underturn is maintaining control over the pressure to achieve a clear distinction between the downstroke and the upstroke.