Chinese Calligraphy 书法(shū fǎ) Phoebe HUANG TCI at Griffith University

The art of calligraphy

Outline Introduction Tools we need Categories How to use brush Chinese character

The four treasure of study 文 房 四 宝 The brush, ink, paper and inkstone are essential implements of calligraphy In addition to these four tools, desk pads and paperweights are also used by calligraphers.

The writing brush

The ink

The paper Special types of paper are used in East Asian calligraphy.

The inkstone

The development of many other forms of art in East Asia

ornate paperweights

Categories mainly falls into 5 categories: Seal Characters Official Script Formal Script Running Script Cursive Hand

Seal Characters 篆书 (zhuan shu) started in China in 221 BC

Official Script 隶书 (li shu) transforming style of Zuan

Cursive Hand 草书 (cao shu) started during the Han Dynasty

Formal Script 楷书 (kai shu) the most commonly used style of Chinese calligraphy, and it is also regarded as the official style.

Running Script 行书 (xing shu) developing style between Tsao and Kai

Wang Xi Zhi (The most famous Chinese calligrapher in Jin dynasty ） the Lanting Xu by Wang Xi Zhi (The most famous Chinese calligrapher in Jin dynasty ）

How to use brush Use your thumb to press on one side of brush handle The forefinger holding back The middle finger reinforcing the forefinger The ring finger pushing the brush handle and the little finger reinforcing the ring finger

The rules of brush writing While writing characters with a brush The brush should be held vertically at 90 degrees to the paper’s surface

Learning how to write “Fu”（luck）

Learning how to write “Chun”（spring）

Write your own Chinese name！