Calligraphy B: Uppercase & Lowercase (Video Tutorial). Learn to draw the letter B in this step-by-step brush calligraphy video tutorial for beginners. Follow along with paper or Procreate!
Calligraphy B: Uppercase & Lowercase (Video Tutorial)
If you’ve been practicing brush calligraphy, the letter B is a great one to work on next.
Each letter brings its own challenges, and repetitive practice helps you build control, practice curves, transitions, and consistency. Once this one clicks, you’ll start to notice improvement across your lettering as a whole.
In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through both uppercase and lowercase, step by step, so you can practice with intention (and actually see progress).
Brush Calligraphy Basics
Before we start, remember the two rules that make brush calligraphy work:
- Upstrokes = light pressure (thin lines)
- Downstrokes = heavy pressure (thick lines)
Everything we’re about to do is built on that contrast.
Calligraphy B: Uppercase and Lowercase Video Tutorial
Want to Take This Further?
If you’re practicing on Procreate and want more guidance on strokes, consistency, and building polished lettering pieces, I walk through the full process step by step inside my iPad Calligraphy in Procreate course.
It’s designed to take you from practicing letters… to actually creating finished work you’re proud of.
All of the practice sheets and Procreate brushes I’m using in the free video series are included in this class.
Want Step-by-Step iPad Calligraphy Lessons?
If you want guided, start-to-finish instruction for learning calligraphy on your iPad, I teach the full process inside my iPad Calligraphy in Procreate class. You’ll learn strokes, letterforms, words, and finished pieces with real-time demos and practice projects.
There are 50 Lessons and 3 Hours of Video Content. It’s well-organized and easy to follow via my online class platform (Thinkific). All the brushes and worksheets you need to learn iPad Calligraphy are included with the class.
- Intro Lessons (3 lessons + Class Downloads)
- Drills (1 lesson + Worksheet Set)
- Alphabet (26 lessons + Procreate Workbook)
- Words + Short Phrases (1 lesson + Worksheet Set)
- Tricky Letter Combos (1 lesson + Procreate workbook)
- Project No. 1: Calligraphy Word Art (6 Lessons)
- Project No. 2: Dancing Calligraphy Animation (2 Lessons)
- Project No. 3: Ghostwriting Animation (2 Lessons)
- Bonus Lessons (2 Lessons + Procreate Worksheet)
iPad Calligraphy in Procreate Class →
IPAD CALLIGRAPHY CLASS FAQs
- What Do I Need for this Class? You’ll need an iPad, Apple Pencil, and the Procreate App. Everything else you’ll need is included in your class downloads.
- Can I watch it anytime? Yes! The class is pre-recorded and available to watch at your convenience. You have lifetime access.
- Is it okay if I’m new to Procreate and/or Calligraphy? Yes, you are the intended audience for this class. We’ll take things step-by-step. I love project-based learning because it makes things more fun and easier to understand.
What to watch for
- A common mistake is making strokes feel too stiff. Try to keep everything fluid.
- Make sure your thick downstroke is actually thick (don’t be shy with pressure)!
- Try not to rush—smooth > fast.
Practice Tips for a Better “B”
- Break it into parts first. Don’t try to perfect the whole letter right away. Practice: The vertical downstroke. The top loop. The bottom loop. Getting these clean individually makes the full letter way easier.
- Make the top loop smaller than the bottom loop. This is the #1 thing that makes a “B” look balanced instead of awkward. Top = smaller, bottom = fuller.
- Slow down your curves. The bowls (loops) are where things get wobbly. Think: smooth and controlled, not fast.
- Keep your downstroke consistent. Your main vertical stroke should be: thick, straight (or slightly curved intentionally), and have even pressure from top to bottom.
- Watch your connection points. Where the loops meet the stem, things can look messy. Aim for smooth, clean joins—not sharp or disconnected.
- Don’t over-inflate the loops. Bigger is not better here. Oversized loops = cartoon “B” real quick. Keep them proportional to your x-height.
- Practice the motion, not just the letter. Repeat the loop shape over and over before adding it to the stem. Muscle memory > forcing a full letter every time.
Practice Words with “B”
- be
- by
- bat
- bed
- baby
Common Mistakes
- Pressing too hard on every stroke (you’ll lose contrast).
- Uneven shapes.
- Rushing through the letter instead of building it intentionally.
💡Extra Tip
If your “B” keeps looking off, it’s usually not the whole letter; it’s one part throwing everything off (usually the top loop or spacing). Zoom in on the problem piece, fix that, and the whole letter improves.
FAQ: Calligraphy Letter B
How do you write a calligraphy B?
A calligraphy B is created using a combination of thin upstrokes and thick downstrokes, following the natural flow of brush lettering. Watch the video lesson for more precise instruction on this letter.
Why is my letter uneven?
This usually comes down to inconsistent pressure or rushing your strokes. Slowing down and focusing on control will make a big difference.
Is it hard to learn calligraphy?
Some letters are trickier than others, but with step-by-step practice, they all become much easier over time.
Can I practice this in Procreate?
Yes, these same techniques apply to digital brush calligraphy, and Procreate is a great tool for practicing and refining your strokes.
HELPFUL LINKS
- Practice the next letter: Calligraphy C
- Or go back: Calligraphy A
Related Series
- The Anatomy of Letters: An A-Z Guide
- Hand Lettering the Alphabet A–Z for Beginners
- Playful Bubble Letters: A-Z (with free Practice Sheets!)
- Playful Serif Lettering Alphabet: A-Z Tutorials (with freebies!)
- Modern Penmanship Tips for Calligraphy and Lettering Lovers
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Happy Practicing!
