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If your upstrokes are wobbly and your brush calligraphy feels all over the place, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, “Why is my calligraphy so shaky?” is one of the most common questions I get from beginners – especially those starting out in my free course, Show Me Your Drills.

So let’s troubleshoot that together.

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Supplies Used

• Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pens
• Tombow Dual Brush Pens
• Rhodia Paper
• Beginner Course + Workbook (Show Me Your Drills, of course!)

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Rather watch than read? Check out the full video by clicking the video below!

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Let’s Get Started!

Below is a practical, step-by-step checklist to help you figure out exactly why your strokes are shaky and what you can do to smooth things out. You might only need to tweak one thing… or you might check every box. Either way, this list will help you figure it out.

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Quick Check: Are You Over-Caffeinated?

I know it sounds like a joke – but I’m serious.

Too much caffeine (or too little sleep, or just general stress) can make your hands shaky no matter how solid your technique is. Before you panic about your pen, take a deep breath, drink some water, shake out your hands, and maybe – just maybe – put the iced coffee down for a minute. 😅

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Checklist Item 1: Are You Using the Right Tools?

If you’re using a large or super flexible brush pen (like a Tombow Dual Brush), it’s going to be harder to control – especially when you’re just starting out.

Try This Instead:

• Use a small-tip felt brush pen. My go-to is the Tombow Fudenosuke. It’s firmer, easier to control, and beginner-friendly.
• Stick to smooth paper. Rough or “toothy” paper can catch the pen and make your strokes look jagged. I recommend:
  • Rhodia
  • Marker paper
  • Tracing paper

Also, avoid bristle-tipped pens and paintbrush-style tools at the start – they’re beautiful, but way harder to control.

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Checklist Item 2: Are You Going Too Fast (or Too Slow)?

Speed matters more than you’d think.

Shaky calligraphy often happens when you’re rushing. But going too slow can be just as problematic – your hand might start to hesitate or vibrate slightly from holding tension.

What You Want:

• A slow-but-steady pace. You should be giving your hand time to respond to what your brain wants it to do – without overthinking every millimeter.
• Consistent speed. Don’t go fast on the downstroke and then creep along on the upstroke. Keep the flow even.

Calligraphy is basically the Goldilocks of speed: not too fast, not too slow – just right.

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Checklist Item 3: Are You Gripping Too Tightly?

Ah yes, the dreaded “death grip.” (Been there.)

If you’re clenching your pen like you’re hanging on for dear life, that tension is going to show up in your strokes.

Fix It By:

• Holding your pen a bit farther from the tip.
• Loosening your hand and wrist between strokes.
• Even setting a reminder to shake out your hand or relax your shoulders every couple of minutes.

I do this constantly. It’s a habit worth building early.

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Checklist Item 4: Are You Pressing Too Lightly?

This one surprises a lot of beginners.

Yes, your upstrokes should be light – but if you’re barely touching the page, your pen can get skippy and your lines start to look extra wobbly.

Try This Instead:

• Let yourself apply a little more pressure on the upstrokes than you think you should.
• Prioritize consistency over thinness. A slightly thicker upstroke is totally fine as long as it contrasts with your downstrokes.

The ultimate goal is clear contrast between thick and thin strokes – not razor-thin lines that end up looking choppy.

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So… What If You’ve Tried All of This?

If you’ve made all the tweaks and things still feel shaky, there’s a good chance you’re just early in your journey – and that’s okay.

Shakiness is often a sign that you’re still building muscle memory. And that takes time.That’s why drills are so important. They train your hand to move more confidently and make your strokes smoother. That’s exactly what we focus on in my free course, Show Me Your Drills.

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That’s a Wrap!

If you’re ready to build confidence in your strokes and finally make those smooth, satisfying lines happen, head over to ShowMeYourDrills. You’ll get:

• Step-by-step videos
• Printable practice sheets
• A beginner-friendly structure that takes the guesswork out of learning

The link’s in the usual spot (or just search for it!). I hope this breakdown helped you pinpoint what’s going on – and more importantly, what you can do to fix it.

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And finally, your dad joke…

Have you ever heard of a music group called Cellophane?
They mostly wrap.