Upstroke

{  A light, upward stroke in brush lettering using minimal pressure. }

A brush lettering Upstroke demonstrated next to a downstroke
A brush lettering Upstroke demonstrated next to a downstroke

What is an Upstroke?

An upstroke is a fundamental brush lettering stroke made with minimal pressure as the pen moves upwards. It typically starts at the baseline The line on which most letters rest in when lettering. Learn more or descender The part of a letter that extends below the baseline. Learn more and is drawn away from you, creating thin, delicate lines. Upstrokes are key to forming letters and work in tandem with downstrokes to create the full range of brush lettering.

How to Make a Brush Pen Upstroke

Demonstrating drawing the gentle upstroke with a brush pen
Brush pen upstroke demonstration with a large brush pen, shown alongside a downstroke for comparison.

With your brush pen in position, apply minimal pressure and gently draw the stroke upwards. This technique is used for all strokes that move away from the baseline or descender and should result in a light, thin line. Mastering the control of pressure is essential for smooth, consistent upstrokes.