Hobbies And Interests
Brush
Perhaps the most important tool in the Chinese calligraphy trade, the brush is the sole means by which the calligrapher creates depth, texture, and detail in his characters. The masterful ancient calligrapher used brushes made of wood, bamboo, bones, precious metals, or even stone fitted with the fur or feathers of various animals. Handcrafted by the artist, these brushes were a personal extension of the artist's ability and determined the quality of his calligraphy. Though modern plastics have made calligraphy brushes reliable and easily maintained, some devoted calligraphy enthusiasts prefer handmade brushes fashioned after the ancient style.
Ink Stone
The ink stone is the palette from which the calligraphy brush receives its ink. Ancient ink stones were single stones chosen for their texture and color and ground into small, flat mortars (grinding bowls). Solid sticks of inking material, called inksticks, were ground into the stones and mixed with water to form ink. This process called for a steady hand and the ability to determine the precise texture and consistency of the ink needed. Handmade ink stones are prized possessions for collectors and enthusiasts and ink-stone artifacts are considered priceless icons of Chinese culture and heritage.
Paper
The ancient Chinese art of calligraphy could not have been possible without another Chinese invention: paper. Course, hemp paper was the first prototype writing surface and did not lend itself to accurate brushwork. With the advances in smoother, more reliable paper production, though, Chinese writing blossomed into a full-fledged art form. Ancient Chinese paper made from hemp, rags, and even wheat stalks was easy to produce, and though modern paper production has made great strides since the days of hand-pulped rag paper, some enthusiasts make their own calligraphy paper.
Paperweights
An important tool in the functionality of ancient Chinese (and even modern) calligraphy is the paperweight. These tools, often made of ornately carved stone or wood, served the purpose of holding the paper still during the delicate brush strokes involved in ancient writing. Personal emblems of characters were often added to the weights, making them highly sought-after artifacts that can provide personal insight into the life or work of the calligrapher.
Seal
The final tool used in ancient Chinese writing was the original artist's seal. This signet, usually carved out of bone, wood or stone, contained a personal character or signature that was dipped in ink or paste and then transferred to the calligraphic page. These seals were unique to the artist or writer and, as such, are considered valuable artifacts of ancient Chinese culture.