Practicing Proper Posture and Penhold

On this lesson, I will be teaching about proper posture and penhold.

But, Brian, why do I need to know this?! Can’t I start writing? Is it that important?

Yes, it is important. Often neglected, but this best practice contributes to the outcome of your calligraphy. Professionals do it too, why should you not?

Before anything else, keep in mind the following best practices on your body position.

1. Feet Flat on the Floor. No cross legs please.

2. Keep you back straight but not too stiff.

3. Relax your shoulders.

4. Lay your forearms on top of your table.

5. Stay close enough to the table. Not too far that you need to lean forward. Or Too near that your shoulder has no space to move.

When you find it hard to do No. 1 and No. 4, maybe its time to check the height of the chair and table you are using. Find one that will fit the length of your legs and arms.

There are people who are comfortable writing when paper is angled. (I’m one of them). It is fine. Just bear in mind, to rotate the paper instead and NOT twist your waist.

When it comes to penhold, it is also important as checking your body position.

Look at the picture below. This is how we usually hold our pen when we write notes.

In brush lettering, we will  hold it this way.

See the difference?

In Photo 1, the pen lies on the index finger while in the Photo 2 lies between the base of the thumb and index finger.

Let’s do some exercise. Game?

If you have any pen with you, try holding it like I do in Photo 2. Feel unnatural? It’s ok. Remember that whenever you hold your brush pen, you must hold it with a firm yet relax fingers. Don’t hold the pen too hard. Hold it just enough that it will not slip out of your hand.

While holding the pen, try draw circles in the air, with your wrist rotating. Well, that’s a good day to warm up your hand, right?

To sum it up, remember that the aim of this exercise is to be aware of your body position and be familiar with the proper  pen hold. As of now, you will not realized its effect on the outcome of your future brush lettering. But I know, as we go along, you will.

So keep holding on!