Wednesday 8 April 2020

Calligraphy 1 - Happy Morning and Well-Being


Chinese Calligraphy - Introduction

Chinese calligraphy is the writing of Chinese characters as a visual art form based on the use of ink brushes.

This has been widely practiced in China and across East Asia. Calligraphy is considered as one of the best pastimes of ancient Chinese scholars, along with painting and playing stringed musical instruments.
Wang Xianzi Imitation by Tang Dynasty.JPG

Chinese calligraphy and ink painting have a long history of close relationship because both are using similar tools and techniques. Chinese calligraphy has been described as "sheer life experience through energy in motion".

A brush is the traditional writing for Chinese calligraphy, the body of which is made from bamboo, wood, porcelain or animal horn. The head of the brush is typically made from animal hairs.Calligraphy brushes are considered an extension of the calligrapher's arm.

Calligraphy works are usually completed by the calligrapher by applying a seal in red ink as his or her signature.



One of the more famous modern Chinese calligrapher is Tian Yunzhang (田蕴章).

Created between 2006 and 2009, "每日一题,每日一字,Meiri Yiti, Meiri Yizi", literally meaning "A Topic A Day,  A Character A Day", is a series of lecture by Professor Tian Yunzhang.

Professor Tian is a Chinese calligrapher professor from Nankai University (南开大学) and a member of several calligraphy-related societies.

His calligraphy style is based on that of the renowned Tang Dynasty Confucian scholar, Ouyang Xun ( 歐陽询).

In each of the 365 videos of this series, Professor Tian discusses a key topic pertaining to Chinese calligraphy. Thereafter, he analyses the proper brush techniques used to write a selected Chinese character in each of the three main Chinese scripts, namely, regular script (楷书), semi-cursive (行书) and cursive (草书).

For details of the videos, please CLICK HERE.