How to Write Live Laugh Love in Cursive

Letter by letter

Each distinct letter in "Live Laugh Love" has its own stroke-by-stroke page.

• AaCursive A
• EeCursive E
• GgCursive G
• HhCursive H
• IiCursive I
• LlCursive L
• OoCursive O
• UuCursive U
• VvCursive V

The joins in Live Laugh Love

• LiLi: Capital L is a connecting capital. After the loop and the base curve, the stroke rises into the i. Keep the i short and dot it after you finish the word.
• iviv: The i exits at the baseline and rises to the v's first stroke. The v ends with a high bridge, so the pen does not return to the baseline before the e.
• auau: The a closes at the top and exits at the baseline into the u. Keep the u as wide as the a and finish with a small point, so it does not look like another a.
• ghgh: The g's loop below the line returns to the baseline and rises into the h. The h has a tall loop and an arch; keep the g's descender short on lined paper.
• ovov: The o closes at the top and exits with a bridge to the v. Keep the bridge level so the v starts at the same height as the o.

Tricky spots

• Three matching LsThree matching Ls: Practise the capital L on its own first. The loop at the top and the curve at the base should be the same in all three words. Measuring them against two pencil lines helps.
• The g in LaughThe g in Laugh: The g has a descender that loops under the line. If the loop is open, it reads as a q. Close it, then bring the pen back up to the h.
• The v in Live and LoveThe v in Live and Love: A cursive v has no baseline join. It ends with a bridge, and the e after it starts at the midline. If the bridge is too low, the e collides with the v.

Capitals

Capitalise all three words, as a title: Live Laugh Love. Capital L connects, so each L runs into the next letter without lifting. Lowercase live laugh love is more casual and looks natural on a sign with a small decoration. Pick one style and keep it for all three words, or the phrase looks mismatched.

Variations and styles

Common layouts are three lines stacked, with a heart or a flower between them, and a single line with the three words in a row. A pointed-pen version gives each L a heavy downstroke. A signature-style version joins the words with a long stroke from each last letter. For a wall sign, make Laugh the same width as Live and Love by stretching its letters.

As a tattoo

Live laugh love is a phrase you would have to keep for years, so check it in three ways. Print the stencil at the size you will have inked, and look at it from across the room. Choose a typeface-like cursive with open loops rather than a tight signature style. Ask the artist whether the L loops and the g descender will keep their shape as the lines soften over time.

Live Laugh Love in cursive: questions