Chinese calligraphy - the art of classical painting of the Ancient East

Chinese calligraphy is an art of depicting hieroglyphs, which allows not only to reflect the meaning of the text, but also visually convey its mood. This type of writing is distinguished by a special aesthetic component designed to show on paper the harmony of spirit and movement, to take hold of the reader's attention and even to exert some emotional influence on him. In the East, calligraphy has always been given special significance, considering that such activities are capable of educating in a person high moral qualities and help him in spiritual development.

The similarity of painting and calligraphy

These types of art have long been called related because of the use of the same materials and method of writing. They mutually nudge each other in development, because the basis of Chinese art is the harmony of lines that reflect the artist's feelings.

This skill is inseparable from the perfect possession of the brush, which is the link between them.

Learning Han (Chinese painting, calligraphy)

You can study the subtleties of this art on your own, or by resorting to the help of certain schools, master classes or private teachers. At the same time it is worth using a certain technique: for example, when writing a hieroglyph, it is necessary to pronounce its meaning out loud and strictly adhere to the rules for drawing symbols to preserve the original meaning of the text (the incorrect image of the sign changes its meaning).

Of course, to fully comprehend the art of Chinese calligraphy, may not be enough for a lifetime, but touch it is for the sake of developing aesthetic taste, visual memory and coordination of movements.

Rules for writing characters

Chinese calligraphy adheres to the five rules of depicting written signs:

• The hieroglyph should be drawn from top to bottom and from left to right.
• At first, horizontal traits are displayed, then vertical lines, and only later - hinged.
• Because of the direction of the letter, the first to write out the diagonal lines on the left, and behind them the ones on the right.
• First of all, the "frame" of the hieroglyph, that is, the outer features, is applied.
• Points outside the mark are drawn last.

This interpretation of the rules is extremely superficial, since there are a lot of exceptions and additions. However, a short version has the right to exist. In any case, this method will take a long time to learn.

Writing styles

Chinese calligraphy obeys the five basic styles that developed along with the writing and have a solid history to date. All the hieroglyphs created with this technique are depicted in accordance with them.

The oldest of the styles is zhuanshu. He appeared in the VIII century BC. E. And was recognized as official in the Qin realm. At the moment, not many Chinese can boast of the ability to read "hieroglyphs of print" (one of the names of the style), but despite this, they are often used in calligraphy and for printing on personal print.

Next follows the deprivation, which developed from the more vulgar writing of zhuanshu in the 2nd century AD. E. From the "hieroglyphs of printing" it is distinguished by the angularity and expansion of horizontal and diagonal lines towards the end. The archaic version of this style is difficult to read, so in modern inscriptions it is replaced by a later variation of the Lisha. From it occur tsaoshu and kaishu.

Tsaoshu is otherwise called "herbal style" and is a handwritten italics. Its specificity consists in the unbroken writing of hieroglyphs and frequent changes in traits that can spoil the visual aesthetics of the text. Thus, although Chinese calligraphy includes this style, he never received wide application.

Kaishu is the most simple and popular. With him begins the training of foreigners and children. It does not contain complex elements and every hieroglyph is written very carefully, therefore this style of writing is available for reading to everyone who knows the language sufficiently.

And the last, the newest variant of writing, is Sinshu. Perhaps, it is not the most aesthetic, since many features of the symbol merge with each other, but any educated native speaker can decode it. Sometimes the art of Chinese calligraphy uses elements of Edomoji and Kao. The latter is most often found in stylized signatures of higher ranks.

Tools for calligraphy

Beginners of this art, like craftsmen, need tools specially designed for it. All that is required for the image of hieroglyphs, is sold in sets. Traditionally, the set includes Chinese brushes for calligraphy, thick paper, ink or paint and a container for it.

Professional tools are more convenient to handle, which undoubtedly affects the quality of work. For example, the correct paper should be made manually from bamboo. This provides good absorbent properties, which is important when drawing with ink. Modern brushes are made from rabbit, goat and wool, and ink tanks are made from fine-grained rocks. Correct selection of the kit will give the beginner a good basis in his endeavor and will teach the treatment of tools, which in the future will help him to keep the "high bar".