Calligraphy is defined as "written letters, dependent upon the flow and rhythm of the pen or brush." Chinese calligraphy is an ancient skill used to express philosophical thoughts and record poems like those written during the Tang Dynasty, the peak era of classical Chinese poetry. Use traditional Chinese calligraphy tools to create your own scrolls and sign your name using Chinese characters.
Brushes
The traditional Chinese calligraphy brush has been described as moving like, "a choreograph on rice paper." When pressure is applied to the brush it bends, then spreads out to make wider lines. Brushes are worn out when they no longer return to the original shape with a fine tip which is capable of making the narrowest lines. A traditional Chinese calligraphy brush is made up of two layers; inside coarser hairs to give the brush body and hold the ink, and the outer, finer hairs which make up the tip. Materials used for brushes include the hair of animals like deer, sheep, goats, cats and wolves, as well as weasels, rabbits, martens and horses. Beginners benefit from starting out with a brush made from goat or sheep hair approximately 1.7 inches in length. Qualities to look for in a brush include the ability to make a fine tip which re-forms after pressure is applied (while writing thicker lines) and even length of the outer tip hairs. Always wash away the protective glue coating applied to new brushes before use.
Ink Sticks
Traditional Chinese ink has a reddish-brown tinge (as opposed to Japanese ink, which is bluish) and comes in a solid form called ink sticks. These sticks are made from vegetable soot with a glue binder; they are ground on an ink stone and combined with water to make ink. Ink quality depends on which type of wood was used to make the stick. Good quality ink sticks have a smooth surface and are easy to grind, producing an oily sheen on the ink stone. After grinding an ink stick, dry it with a non-scented paper towel. Always store ink sticks away from moisture, which makes them brittle, and do not drop them, or the resulting cracks will affect the quality of your ink and writing.
Ink Stones
To make ink with your sticks you need a hard block which is called an ink stone. Important features to look for in an ink stones are flatness, the correct surface texture (smooth and shiny) and a balance between softness and hardness, so the ink stick adheres to the stone during the grinding process. Beginners require a round or rectangular ink stone between five and six inches long, preferably one with an ink reservoir at one end. Clean your ink stone with water and a soft sponge after every use.
