Essential Tips for Left-Handers: 3 Key Strategies for Writing Beautifully with Brush Pens

2020.12.25 published

Inconvenient Issues for Left-Handed People.

It is said that about 10-11 percent of the Japanese population is left-handed.

Left-handed people are often praised as “genius types,” “seem skilled and cool,” or “southpaws have an advantage in sports,”

but since the majority of the world is right-handed, there are many inconveniences they experience.

For example:

✓ When writing horizontally, the text is hidden under their hand, and the writing smudges.

✓ Tools such as scissors, ladles (with pointed ends), spatulas, and can openers are primarily designed for right-handers.

✓ Using a mouse with the left hand makes it impossible to click with the index finger.

✓ When dining out, their arms might bump into those of the person sitting next to them.

And so on.

Throughout their lives, they probably faced many minor but varied struggles...!

Mastering Brush Pens is Difficult!

In the realm of ceremonial occasions, writing characters with a brush pen poses a significant challenge for left-handed individuals.

It’s considered good manners to write invitations and New Year's cards, as well as gifts and condolences, with a brush pen rather than a ballpoint pen, and they try their best to undertake this challenge,

but in most cases,

✓ Because the flow of the brush is opposite, the strokes cannot be beautifully written.

✓ Writing the next character before the ink dries smudges the text with their hand.

✓ The side of their hand ends up covered in ink.

This is often the outcome.

Even left-handed people who normally write beautifully find it difficult to use brush pens (calligraphy brushes).

There's even a tendency in calligraphy classes where students are forced to learn to write with their right hand!

This illustrates just how challenging it is for left-handed individuals to master using a brush.

@kuniarisa1224

However! There are Tips for Writing Beautifully with a Brush Pen in Your Left Hand＊

However!

That doesn’t mean left-handed people can’t write with a brush pen.

Of course, the difficulty level might be high, but by mastering a few tips, they should be able to write more beautifully than before.

Left-handed people who have opportunities to write with a brush pen should check this out.

@sy1110.wedding

Tip #1 for Left-Handed Brush Pen Mastery: Tilt the Pen to the Right

When right-handed people hold a pen, it naturally tilts to the right from the perspective of the writer.

(Conversely, it is normal for left-handed people to tilt to the left.)

However, if you slightly twist your wrist inward and hold the pen in a way that it tilts to the right, even left-handed people will find that the strokes can be written more beautifully.

Although the pen grip might look a bit odd, the quality of the writing should improve significantly.

Tip #2 for Left-Handed Brush Pen Mastery: Tilt the Paper Diagonally

Another tip to try is tilting the paper diagonally rather than keeping it straight while writing.

The recommended angle is about 30 to 40 degrees to the right.

This allows the flow of the brush to move smoothly toward oneself.

- It helps avoid writing with a downward slant.

- It prevents the brush from becoming uneven and the paper from crumpling.

- It eliminates the need to press the tip of the brush too hard against the paper.

These are some of the benefits.

Tip #3 for Left-Handed Brush Pen Mastery: Keep Your Hand Elevated

This is important for both right-handed and left-handed people, but it is crucial to avoid pressing your hand flat on the paper and instead keep it elevated while writing.

Especially for left-handed individuals, when writing horizontally, their hand ends up over the characters, causing smudging...

This presents a fundamental issue with writing.

By keeping the hand elevated, not applying too much pressure, and holding the pen somewhat upright, it becomes easier to write.

Challenge Yourself to Use a Brush Pen with Your Left Hand＊

I have shared some tips for left-handed individuals to write beautifully with a brush pen.

These will surely be helpful when writing on envelopes for ceremonial occasions, invitations, or New Year's cards.

① Tilt the pen to the right

② Tilt the paper diagonally

③ Keep your hand elevated

By keeping these three tips in mind, practice first with a brush pen and paper!＊

@lva__wd