Calligraphy C: Uppercase & Lowercase (Video Tutorial). Learn to draw the letter C in this step-by-step brush calligraphy video tutorial for beginners. Follow along with paper or Procreate!
Calligraphy C: Uppercase & Lowercase (Video Tutorial)
If you’ve been practicing brush calligraphy, the letter C 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 C: 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 “C”
“C” looks simple… until you try to make it smooth 😅 It’s all about control and clean curves—once you get that down, a lot of other letters (like a, d, g, o) start improving too.
- Think “open oval,” not just a curve. A good “C” is basically an oval that doesn’t fully close. If your shape feels off, practice full ovals first. Then remove the right side.
Start light, press into the curve, release again. You want: Thin upstroke at the beginning, the thickest pressure through the middle curve, and light again as you exit. That pressure transition is what gives your “C” that polished look.
- Keep the opening consistent. Don’t let your “C” close too much, or it looks like an “o”. If it’s open too wide, it looks unfinished. Aim for a balanced, intentional gap.
- Watch your top and bottom alignment. Your “C” should sit neatly between your baseline and cap height (or x-height or lowercase) with a slight overshoot. If the ends don’t align, it can look lopsided.
- Slow down the curve (this is the big one). Most issues come from rushing. Think: draw it like you mean it, not like you’re sketching.
- Keep your thickness centered. The thickest part of your “C” should live around the side curve, not at the very top or bottom.
Practice Words with “C”
These will help you see how “C” behaves in different positions:
- cat
- cup
- cake
- circle
- create
- cupcake
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 “C” feels off, go back to practicing ovals for a few minutes. Seriously, it fixes almost everything!
FAQ: Calligraphy Letter C
How do you write a calligraphy C?
A calligraphy C 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 D
- Or go back: Calligraphy B
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!
