Calligraphy X: Uppercase & Lowercase (Video Tutorial). Learn to draw the letter X in this step-by-step brush calligraphy video tutorial for beginners. Follow along with paper or Procreate!
Calligraphy X: Uppercase & Lowercase (Video Tutorial)
If you’ve been practicing brush calligraphy, the letter X is a great next letter to work on.
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 X: Uppercase and Lowercase Video Tutorial
CALLIGRAPHY Alphabet A-Z: Free VIDEO TUTORIALS
Use the links below to watch the video for each letter of the alphabet. Click the letter you want to go to the blog post. Start with A or jump to any letter you want to practice first. I recommend starting with the calligraphy drills lesson and free practice sheets.
A – B – C – D – E – F – G – H – I – J – K – L – M – N – O – P – Q – R – S – T – U – V – W – X – Y – Z
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 the practice sheets and Procreate brushes I use 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—smoothness> speed.
Practice Tips for a Better “X”
“X” is one of the most unique letters in brush calligraphy because it’s built from crossing strokes rather than loops or arches. The challenge isn’t complexity. It’s getting the two strokes to feel balanced and intentional.
- Focus on the first stroke first. Don’t think about the entire letter at once. Start with: A smooth diagonal stroke. Consistent pressure. Clean direction. Then add the second stroke.
- Keep the crossing point centered. One of the most common mistakes is crossing too high or too low. Aim for the intersection to sit near the middle of the letter.
- Use contrast between the strokes. Depending on your style, of course. One stroke may carry more pressure. The other can stay lighter. This creates visual interest and keeps the letter from feeling heavy.
- Don’t make the diagonals too flat. If the angles are too shallow, your “x” can look stretched out. Aim for clean, confident diagonals.
- Keep the width proportional. Too narrow = cramped. Too wide = awkward. A balanced width helps the letter feel stable.
- Slow down at the crossing point. This is where many beginners get shaky. Focus on a smooth, controlled intersection rather than rushing through it.
- Uppercase “X” = confident diagonals. Think: One strong diagonal, one crossing diagonal. Keep both strokes balanced in length and angle.
PRACTICE WORDS WITH “X”
Since “x” doesn’t appear at the beginning of many common English words, these are great practice options
- box
- fox
- extra
- exact
- explore
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 (A Quick Drill)
Practice rows of simple crossing strokes:
- / × / × / ×
Focus on:
- Consistent angles
- Consistent crossing points
- Smooth pressure transitions
You’ll build muscle memory much faster than by writing full words. “X” is less about fancy flourishes and more about precision. Once you find a crossing point and angle that feel natural, the letter becomes surprisingly easy to repeat consistently.
FAQ: Calligraphy Letter X
How do you write calligraphy X?
A calligraphy X is created by combining thin upstrokes with 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 Y
- Or go back: Calligraphy W
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!
