What is Xuan paper made of? This question fascinates calligraphy enthusiasts and traditional culture lovers worldwide. Understanding what Xuan paper is made of reveals the secrets behind China’s most treasured papermaking craft. Xuan paper is made of four natural materials: green sandalwood bark, sandy field rice straw, kiwi vine, and mountain spring water. This comprehensive…
Many people interested in Chinese calligraphy and painting art may notice that most Chinese calligraphy or painting works have seals on them. Chinese seal identification can be very difficult for foreign friends who are new to Chinese art or those who rarely encounter Chinese seal carving, yet it’s also full of fascinating charm that draws…
Many friends in Hong Kong might wonder: What Xuan paper brands are available in Hong Kong? After extensive research, Qi Ming found that Hong Kong doesn’t actually have local companies producing Xuan paper. This isn’t surprising, though.So there are no actual Hong Kong Xuan paper brands, because all authentic Xuan paper is produced in Jing…
Many people believe that calligraphy brushes should be made entirely from animal hair to be considered high quality. Many calligraphy learners think that brushes containing nylon are not good brushes, or even consider them fake or low-quality products. This misconception has likely troubled many sellers of the Four Treasures of the Study who don’t fully…
Professor Tian Yunzhang is the older brother of Tian Yingzhang. While he doesn’t earn as much from calligraphy training as his younger brother, Professor Tian became widely known through his video series “Tian Yunzhang Calligraphy Lecture: Daily Topic, Daily Character (365 Episodes Online, Ad-Free)” recorded for Northern Network. Qi Ming previously posted this video series…
In our previous article, we discussed “Chinese Calligraphy Ink: Ink Stick vs Liquid Ink Guide.” Today, let’s talk about ink sticks (also called ink cakes or ink blocks). Many calligraphy enthusiasts who want to buy ink sticks for grinding their own ink often wonder: How can we tell if an ink stick is good or…
Should you use an ink stick or liquid ink when learning Chinese calligraphy? This question has been asked by more than ten calligraphy friends on WeChat. To be honest, if I want convenience, I would definitely choose liquid ink. But if we’re talking about the ceremonial feeling of writing or getting richer color variations and…
For friends who are just starting to learn Chinese calligraphy, choosing the right paper can be confusing. Some people might have heard that Maobian paper is good for beginners, but what exactly is Maobian paper? How do you select quality Maobian paper? Today, Qi Ming combines insights from classical teachers’ discussions about Maobian paper to…
How to clean calligraphy brushes? This is a problem many people face. You might have searched online for brush cleaning tips, but most methods waste a lot of water and make a mess in your sink. Today’s article introduces a new way to clean brushes that I hope will help everyone! Full Article: Ever since…
