Lesson 5 - "People", "Big" and "Cow (down stroke to the left)

"Pie" is in Mandarin how the down stroke to the left called.  I will cover the down stroke to the right in another lesson.  Basically, these 2 strokes exist almost at the same time when it comes to writing Chinese.

These 2 strokes, in my opinion, are difficult to execute correctly and nicely, especially if you are using Chinese brush to do calligraphy.

I am trying to describe how to get this stroke right below:
1) As usual, the stroke starts from top
2) At the point where you begin this stroke, you will use most of the strength
3) As the stroke goes further down, you will use lesser and lesser strength
4) Just past the mid-point of the stroke, you will start to let go

You will use the same method and strength no matter if you use a pen, pencil or a Chinese brush.

To make a child or a beginner to understand how to make this stroke looks right, use your index finger to write on his/her shoulder a few times to let him/her to feel it.

Click here to download the activity sheet and start writing Chinese, kid(s):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxJnXu3nperhZ0xmX202c2U5VDg/edit?usp=sharing


If you can't open the file, click here to download the (FREE software) Adobe Reader:
http://get.adobe.com/reader/