Synopses & Reviews
If you look into a Chinese dictionary, you will find fifty to sixty thousand charactersand#8212;each with its own structure, and each presenting a unique challenge to the practitioner of the graceful art of Chinese calligraphy. In this fascinating, informative guidebook by an expert in the field, this ancient art comes alive for beginners and advanced calligraphers alike.
The author provides both practical instruction in Chinese calligraphy and an absorbing historical backgroundand#8212;from the pictographic beginnings of Chinese writing, more than 4,000 years ago, down to Kai, Hsing, and Tsao styles (each over 1,000 years old) that have endured to the present day. The basic construction of individual characters is explained, as are the many ways in which calligraphy is used by Chinese artists. Separate chapters are devoted to Chinese calligraphy as an art form, language as a way of understanding Chinese thought, Chinese porcelain and ceramics, calligraphic seals, and inscriptions on paintings.
The book's final chapters comprise a detailed, step-by-step guide to using Chinese painting equipment and to mastering the techniques needed to create stunning examples of brushwork calligraphy. This book will delight artists and calligraphers as well as all readers interested in Chinese art and culture or in the development of writing.
Dover (2001) unabridged republication of the work first published by Blandford Press, Poole, England, 1987.
Synopsis
Following a history of Chinese calligraphy—going all the way back to the pictographic beginnings of Chinese writing more than 4,000 years ago—the author explains the basic construction of individual characters and the ways in which calligraphy is used by Chinese artists, including calligraphic seals and inscriptions on paintings. The final chapters are devoted to detailed, step-by-step instructions for using Chinese painting equipment and for mastering the techniques needed to create stunning examples of brushwork calligraphy. Many black-and-white illus. Bibliography. Index.
Synopsis
Following a history of Chinese calligraphy and#151; going all the way back to the pictographic beginnings of Chinese writing more than 4,000 years ago and#151; the author explains the basic construction of individual characters and the ways in which calligraphy is used by Chinese artists, including calligraphic seals and inscriptions on paintings.
Synopsis
Author provides both practical instruction and historical background, as well as examining the relationship of Chinese calligraphy to other art forms. Many black-and-white illustrations.