Essential Chinese Calligraphy Materials for Beginners

Discover the materials you need to start learning the ancient art of traditional Chinese writing

In very simple terms, calligraphy is the art of writing characters or letters in a single stroke. Calligraphers pay attention to the beauty of the brushstrokes, their shape, and the way in which they are written.

Chinese calligraphy is known as shūfǎ. This ancient technique of inscribing objects, documents, and telling stories, is also an artform. You don’t need in-depth knowledge of Chinese to learn this ancient art, as the creative process is based on reflection and meditation.

Thomas Lam (@thomaslam) is an internationally recognized Chinese calligraphy expert. He was born in Hong Kong and lives in London where he teaches calligraphy at the school he founded: Writelikedance.

Thomas has worked with calligraphy students in the UK and online in Hong Kong for over a decade. He is developing a new system for teaching Chinese calligraphy to lovers of this beautiful art form.

The list of materials he shares at the end of this article includes valuable tips, but first, don’t miss this useful introduction to calligraphy:

What is calligraphy and how is it different from lettering?

Calligraphy is often confused with lettering. In fact, lettering follows the principles of calligraphy but uses them to create artful compositions.

Calligraphy is usually practiced on paper, often following principles that dictate the shape and size of each letter, whereas lettering allows greater experimentation. Lettering compositions are often displayed in large formats or used online.

In the following video, graffiti artist and letter expert TECK24 (@teck24horas) gives you the basic tools you need to distinguish between calligraphy and lettering.

What are the different types of calligraphy?

Joaquín Seguí (@joaquinsegui) is a graphic designer who specializes in calligraphy. He believes there is a general but essential distinction between:

Formal calligraphy

In which alphabets are written in line with specific established rules. And the strokes are very controlled and generally based on traditional alphabets. For example, gothic calligraphy:

Gestural calligraphy

In this discipline, the shapes are much more fluid and the strokes are very fast. You can use more random letters, which has led to this art being categorized as gestural.

It still respects some of the rules of formal calligraphy but each artist is free to adapt them to their own vision.

Essential Chinese calligraphy materials

Calligrapher Thomas Lam created a list of all the materials you will need to start experimenting with traditional Chinese calligraphy.

Brushes

There are two main types of calligraphy brush: soft bristle and hard bristle.

Soft bristles are usually made from goat hair, which is excellent for ink absorption. But these aren’t the best brushes for beginners. This type of brush is used to create larger letters that require more experience.

Brushes with hard bristles are traditionally made from rabbit or weasel, which provide greater resistance. The tip returns to its original shape after each use, making it much easier to control the stroke. This is the ideal brush for beginners.

Professional calligraphers use hard bristle brushes to create small letters.

A mixed bristle brush is the best kind to use when you’re starting out. The white section is made of soft bristles, while the black section is made of hard bristles.

This combination provides optimum ink absorption and good resistance to the pressure of the stroke. It’s perfect for beginners.

Another option is nylon brushes, which also provide good resistance, however, they are less good at absorbing ink. When you use this type of brush, the ink is transferred directly onto the paper, which means you may achieve different results.

Brush sizes

Chinese calligraphy uses a range of brush sizes to create different characters. The main thing you need to look at when choosing your brush is the length and diameter of the bristles.

Use the following scale to simplify your choice of brush size:

- Small for characters measuring 2-5 cm.
- Medium for characters measuring from 6-8 cm.
- Large for characters measuring from 9-11 cm or more.

For beginners, it’s easier to start with small or medium-sized brushes as they make it easier to create precise strokes.

Rice paper

Rice paper, which is also known as Xuan, is very traditional in Chinese calligraphy. It's traditionally made in Xuancheng, a city in China's Anhui province, and is excellent at absorbing ink.

However, not all rice paper is suitable for calligraphy. Look for paper that’s been treated with alum, a chemical substance that helps reduce the paper’s ability to absorb ink. As well as white paper, you can also find a range of colors and prints for various occasions.

For example:
- Red paper is always used to write Chinese New Year greetings.
- Browns, oranges, and yellows are used for British writing.

There are two types of alum paper: full and partially treated. It is also used for designs, as it allows more detailed, delicate brushstrokes.

Partially treated alum rice paper is perfect for beginners as it’s easier to work with and also more affordable!

Inks

Inksticks are made out of soot and vegetable oil, so they need to be ground and mixed with water to produce ink. Controlling density and concentration can be a tricky art, so avoid this step when you’re starting out.

Bottled inks are often used in Chinese calligraphy, as they are easier to work with and have a milder scent.

This is the best choice for beginners, as you can also pour any excess ink back into the bottle.

Inkstone

Choose your stone according to the kind of ink you prefer. If you’re going to use an inkstick, you need a stone inkstone, because stone inkstones allow you to grind the pigment.

You can use ceramic or plastic inkstones with bottled ink.

Desk pad

Desk pads are normally made of felt. You need them to keep your desk clean and to avoid any ink splashes.
They also give you a little more firmness when you’re writing.

Wooden stand

This important tool keeps your brushes in good condition, so the ink doesn’t build up between the bristles.

Love these tips? Learn how to write Chinese characters using artistic techniques and brushstrokes in Thomas Lam’s online course, Introduction to Chinese Calligraphy.

English version by @studiogaunt.

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