Many friends who practice Chinese calligraphy face the challenge of folding grid lines on Xuan paper when creating their artwork. This article introduces common Xuan paper sizes and teaches practical folding methods. We’ll also cover the most popular technique using four-chi Xuan paper for creating five-character or seven-character quatrains. We hope this guide will be…
In our previous article about choosing the right paper for calligraphy beginners, we covered the basics of paper selection. Today, we’ll focus on an equally important topic: how to pick the right calligraphy brush when you’re just starting out. Many beginners make the mistake of simply looking for the cheapest brushes or those with the…
Many Chinese calligraphy beginners often ask me: “What kind of paper should I use when starting out?” I believe most newcomers to calligraphy struggle with this paper selection issue. You may have heard others mention using Maobian paper or Yuanshu paper, but what exactly is Maobian paper? What’s the difference between Maobian paper and Yuanshu…
Previously, we published an article on “Chinese Seals: Complete Guide to Types and Usage.” Many friends interested in carving their own seal stamps or who enjoy seal engraving may wonder: What stones are best for carving seals? What are the common stone materials used for seal carving? Which stones are suitable for calligraphy seal carving?…
This morning I found this article on the Jiangsu Calligraphy Association’s WeChat account and decided to share it for two reasons. First, this comprehensive collection of scholar’s studio objects is truly eye-opening (though some items may not be limited to study room use). Second, I’ve previously only introduced the “Four Treasures of the Study” (brush,…
Previously in our article “Top Ten Chinese Calligraphy Brush Brands,” we briefly mentioned the four virtues of calligraphy brushes—tip, roundness, evenness, and resilience—but didn’t explain them in detail. Here we’ve collected “Teacher Gudian’s” article and compiled information from other websites about brush construction, including images illustrating the four virtues. We hope this helps you gain…
Today I want to share some knowledge about water writing cloth for calligraphy. If you’ve shopped for Chinese writing supplies online, you’ve probably seen stores promoting the so-called “Fifth Treasure of the Study” — water writing cloth for brush calligraphy. Many people are curious about this innovative tool but have questions about how it works,…
Discover the ancient art of Chinese calligraphy seals with our comprehensive guide. Learn about the different types of seals including name seals, leisure seals, and collector’s seals, their proper placement and artistic significance in calligraphy works. Explore practical techniques for seal ink application, maintenance tips, and special considerations for both traditional brush and modern hard-pen calligraphy.
As someone who previously shared articles about Chinese calligraphy brushes, Xuan paper, and ink, I wanted to complete my series on the “Four Treasures of the Study” by covering inkstones. While I personally use ordinary inkstones, this knowledge may be useful for future reference. I hope you find it helpful! China’s Top 10 Inkstones –…
