On this page
- Before you start: tools and posture
- Exercise 1: loose ovals
- Exercise 2: waves and loops
- Exercise 3: entry strokes
- Exercise 4: the "o" family
- Exercise 5: the arch family
- Exercise 6: tall and low stems
- Exercise 7: tricky joins
- Exercise 8: dots and crosses last
- Exercise 9: the pangram
- Exercise 10: speed with control
- A four-week plan
- Want cursive on your screen?
- Questions artists ask
Before you start: tools and posture
You don't need expensive tools:
- Lined paper, ideally with a dotted midline for letter height.
- A smooth pen or an HB pencil.
- A steady table and light coming from the side opposite your writing hand.
Sit with both feet on the floor. Hold the pen without squeezing: too much pressure is the main cause of shaky lines and tired hands.
Exercise 1: loose ovals
Draw continuous ovals counterclockwise between two lines. Fill a full row. The goal is to loosen your wrist and forearm.
Exercise 2: waves and loops
Alternate waves (∿∿∿) and loops (ℓℓℓ) without lifting the pen. Loops are the base of l, h, b and k.
Exercise 3: entry strokes
Most cursive letters start with a slanted stroke rising from the baseline. Make 20 identical strokes at the same angle.
Exercise 4: the "o" family
Write a, c, d, g, o and q in a row. They all grow from the same oval. Repeat until the ovals match in size.
Exercise 5: the arch family
Write m, n, v, x and y. Keep the arches the same height, like a calm wave: mmmm, nnnn.
Exercise 6: tall and low stems
Practice b, d, f, h, k, l, t (going up) and f, g, j, p, q, y, z (going down). Stems should always reach the same height. Use the line above as your ceiling.
Exercise 7: tricky joins
Joins after b, o, v and w are the hardest, because they leave from the top. Practice pairs:
| Pair | Tip |
|---|---|
| "bo", "ov" | Leave from the top and dip gently |
| "wr", "vr" | Keep the join at mid-height |
| "ss" | Don't close the second s |
| "oa" | Keep the bridge level |
Exercise 8: dots and crosses last
Write the whole word first, then add i-dots, t-crosses and accents. It keeps your rhythm. Practice: little, written, quietly, minimum.
Exercise 9: the pangram
A pangram uses every letter of the alphabet. Copy this one five times a day:
Exercise 10: speed with control
Set a one-minute timer and copy a paragraph. Count the words. Repeat a week later. The goal is more speed without losing shape.
A four-week plan
| Week | Focus | Exercises |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Movement | 1, 2 and 3 |
| 2 | Letter shapes | 4, 5 and 6 |
| 3 | Joins | 7 and 8 |
| 4 | Flow | 9 and 10 |
Want cursive on your screen?
For social media you don't need to train your hand: use the cursive font generator. To improve your writing overall, read how to improve your handwriting.
Questions artists ask
How long does it take to improve cursive?
With 15 minutes a day, most people notice a difference in two to four weeks.
Pencil or pen for practice?
Start with an HB pencil or a smooth pen. What matters most is a light grip.
Can adults change their handwriting?
Yes. Handwriting is a motor skill and can be trained at any age.
Founder and editor of Letras Bonitas Art. Builds the tools and writes the guides on this site for artists who letter on screens. How we review our pages.
