How Different Papers Affect Chinese Brush Writing Performance

How different papers affect Chinese brush writing performance is a question that many calligraphy practitioners ask after practicing for a while. Just a few days ago, a calligraphy friend shared with Qi Ming his experience using two of Qi Ming’s Chinese brushes – Wen Fang Qing Yue and Chu Pu – on different types of paper, which perfectly illustrates how different papers affect Chinese brush writing performance.

He compared his writing on machine-made grid Maobian paper versus Xuan paper. Interestingly, he found that both brushes performed similarly on Maobian paper. However, when writing on Xuan paper, Chu Pu performed noticeably better, while Qing Yue fell slightly short.

Since paper and brushes have a complementary relationship that directly impacts performance, today I’ll share insights from teacher Zhu Youzhou’s book “Research on Ancient Chinese Brushes” to explain how different papers affect Chinese brush writing performance. This should help answer questions for calligraphy enthusiasts who want to understand this important relationship.

Understanding How Different Papers Affect Chinese Brush Writing Performance

In traditional Chinese culture, we often talk about concepts like “overcoming hardness with softness” （以柔克刚）and “balancing strength with gentleness.” （刚柔并济）These principles also apply to calligraphy supplies and help explain how different papers affect Chinese brush writing performance. Different papers require matched Chinese brushes to achieve the best writing results.

Ancient calligraphy masters recognized how different papers affect Chinese brush writing performance long ago.

Wang Xizhi reportedly said: “If writing on soft paper, use a firm brush; if writing on firm paper, use a soft brush.” （“若书虚纸，用强笔；若书强纸，用弱笔”）The idea is that paper and brush should complement each other in strength. If you use harder paper, it’s best to pair it with a softer Chinese brush. If you use softer paper, use a firmer brush.

Zhao Mengfu also mentioned: “In calligraphy, it’s valuable when paper and brush work in harmony. If paper and brush don’t match well, even skilled writing cannot be good. It’s like a fast horse running through mud – how can it perform well?” I find Zhao Mengfu’s analogy very fitting for explaining this concept.

Understanding Brush Composition and Paper Interaction

Qi Ming Wen Fang‘s Qing Yue and Chu Pu have different compositions as shown in the images above, which demonstrates how different papers affect Chinese brush writing performance based on brush hardness.

Qing Yue is primarily made of goat hair, supplemented with 13% pig bristles and imported Korean nylon fibers to add strength and resilience.

Chu Pu’s main component is weasel hair, supplemented with goat hair and a minimal amount of pig bristles.

As mentioned before, among the mainstream hair materials currently on the market, rabbit hair is harder than weasel hair, and weasel hair is harder than goat hair (hardness comparison: rabbit hair > weasel hair > goat hair).

From these composition differences, we can see that Chu Pu is relatively harder compared to Qing Yue, while Qing Yue is softer relative to Chu Pu. (Here, “hard brush” and “soft brush” refer to the firmness of the Chinese brush bristles, not the distinction between traditional brushes and modern pens or pencils.)

This helps explain how different papers affect Chinese brush writing performance in practice. My calligraphy friend felt that the slightly firmer Chu Pu worked better on Xuan paper because the Xuan paper he used was likely softer compared to his Maobian paper.

The Critical Relationship Between Paper and Brush

Kang Youwei also provided a classic explanation about how different papers affect Chinese brush writing performance. He said: “If the paper is firm, use a soft brush; if the paper is soft, use a firm brush. Two firm materials are like carving stone with an awl; two soft materials are like washing mud with mud. Neither produces smooth, rounded strokes, and the spirit is lost.”

Understanding this principle is essential for anyone wanting to know how different papers affect Chinese brush writing performance.

A Historical Example of Paper-Brush Mismatch

Teacher Zhu Youzhou provided a real-life example to illustrate how different papers affect Chinese brush writing performance. He cited the case of Wang Chong writing “Wang Changling Poetry Scroll,” during which he had to change brushes eight times.

It’s said that Wang Chong was using newly made powdered note paper from the Wu region. The paper and brush clashed, causing him to “change brushes eight times before completing the scroll.”

Wang Chong wrote in his postscript: “Nian Fu Jian brought this scroll asking me to write on it. This newly made powdered paper from the Wu region damages brushes terribly. I had to change brushes eight times to finish the scroll, and the Zhongshan bristles were completely worn down. Don’t blame my poor calligraphy – blame the papermaker instead. Written by Wang Chong on the full moon day of October in the Bingxu year.”

From Wang Chong’s words, we can see a clear example of how different papers affect Chinese brush writing performance. This powdered note paper was too hard, causing him to ruin several of his equally firm rabbit hair brushes. (Qi Ming’s note: Since ancient times, Zhongshan rabbit hair has been the most famous. Although scholars debate the exact location of Zhongshan, Wang Chong’s mention of “Zhongshan bristles” undoubtedly refers to rabbit hair.)

As a famous calligrapher of the Ming Dynasty, Wang Chong’s complaint at the end of this scroll provides an important case study on how different papers affect Chinese brush writing performance. It also reveals his sensitivity to Chinese brush and paper selection, as well as the frustration and helplessness that mismatched materials brought to his creative process.

Conclusion: Mastering Paper-Brush Harmony

Understanding how different papers affect Chinese brush writing performance is crucial for anyone learning Chinese calligraphy. This is what Qi Ming wanted to share with you today. I hope it provides some insights for those of you practicing this beautiful art form.

Feel free to leave comments at the end of this article to discuss how different papers affect Chinese brush writing performance in your own practice. You can also share your experiences writing with the same Chinese brush on different papers and how the results varied.