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I am a Ph.D scientist and artist who has devoted considerable time to mastering Chinese calligraphy, a skill l learned from my grandfather. I would be honored to creat Chinese calligraphy redentions of your poem , family motto and the name of your organization and product. Let me help you express the essence of your words and brand in this elegant art form.
Explore chinese calligraphy
Explore Chinese Calligraphy Explore the timeless art of calligraphy at East West Calligraphy Gallery, where we offer a unique opportunity to appreciate the beauty of this exquisite craft. From classic styles to modern letterform designs, immerse yourself in the world of calligraphy through our dedicated website. Let East West Calligraphy Gallery be your guide on a journey through the art of hand-lettering and calligraphy.
Delve into the rich history of calligraphy, spanning from ancient Orcal bone script (c. 1250 – c. 1050 BC) to extraordinary artifacts such as the Houmuwu Ding. The Houmuwu Ding is renowned as the largest piece of bronze work found from the ancient world so far. Crafted in the late Shang dynasty, this impressive piece is named for the inscription in bronze ware script on the interior wall, which reads "Queen Mother Wu." The earliest writings in China date back to the Shang dynasty, around 1400-1200 B.C.E., and were found on ox scapulae, tortoiseshells, and bronzes. These writings, known as "oracle bones," recorded divination practices used by the Shang royal house. Inscriptions were carved onto the bones and shells using a stylus, while some were written with brush and ink made of lampblack or cinnabar.Oracle bone script is the oldest attested form of written Chinese, dating to the late 2nd millennium BC. Inscriptions were made by carving characters into oracle bones, usually either the shoulder bones of oxen or the plastra of turtles. The brush pen was used as early as the seventh or sixth century B.C.E. The holder is made of bamboo, and the tip is made of wolf, rabbit, or goat hair. Brush-point size depends upon its use in executing different styles of characters. The brush was used in conjunction with ink, a permanent black pigment that could not be washed out after being applied. The basic ingredients for ink are pine soot or lampblack and glue (as a binding agent) with any other miscellaneous additives, such as gold flakes, musk, and camphor. Ink is kept as a solid, dry stick until ready for use. A writer then grinds the dry ink stick against an "inkstone," a polished and often decorative piece of stone with a shallow bowl carved into one end. Water is added to the shallow bowl, while the writer moves the inkstick in a circular motion to form dark, liquid ink. When a desired blackness of ink is reached, the writer then uses his or her brush to lift the ink directly from the inkstone. Ink is judged by its insolubility, luster of pigment, and hardness.
In addition to oracle bones, inscriptions were also found on bronzes, including sacrificial vessels, ritual bells, and seals. These bronze inscriptions ranged from a few characters to as many as five hundred characters, providing valuable insights into ancient Chinese rituals, beliefs, and governance practices. The meticulous craftsmanship and intricate calligraphy of these inscriptions reflect the significance of writing and communication in ancient Chinese society, laying the foundation for the development of Chinese calligraphy as an art form. In ancient China, the assertion of power by early emperors often took the form of engraving edicts or pronouncements on stone and bronze in their own calligraphic script. This practice not only demonstrated their authority but also served as a means of communication with their subjects, conveying important messages and decrees across vast territories. Through the meticulous craftsmanship of calligraphy, these inscriptions on stone and bronze monuments stood as enduring symbols of imperial power and governance, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to admire and study. Bamboo and wooden slips (簡牘) are long, narrow strips of wood or bamboo, each typically containing a single column of several dozen brush-written characters. These slips served as the primary medium for writing documents in China before the widespread adoption of paper during the first two centuries AD. Although silk was occasionally used, as seen in the Chu Silk Manuscript, it was generally considered prohibitively expensive for most documents. The use of bamboo and wooden slips reflected the practical and economic realities of ancient Chinese society, providing a portable and durable means of recording information and communication in various contexts, from administrative records to literary texts. Indeed, calligraphy was considered the medium through which a person's thoughts, feelings, and artistry were best conveyed. When observing a piece of calligraphy, we can appreciate how the calligrapher skillfully manipulated the brush to create a work of beauty. Each stroke and dot, meticulously executed with ink, carries with it a rhythmic energy that speaks to the viewer's senses. Through the graceful movements of the brush, emotions are expressed, ideas are communicated, and artistic expression is realized. Calligraphy transcends mere writing; it becomes a form of visual poetry, capturing the essence of the writer's intentions and conveying them to the viewer in a profound and captivating manner. Archaeological evidence shows paper was invented around the first century B.C.E. By the third century C.E., paper was already widely used for making books Changes in ink gradation, the relationship between characters, and the elegance of a single line can captivate viewers, regardless of the legibility of the text. In calligraphy, subtle variations in ink density and shading add depth and dimension to the characters, creating a sense of movement and vitality on the page. The spacing and arrangement of characters also play a crucial role, as they contribute to the overall composition and aesthetic appeal of the piece. Even if the text is not immediately legible, viewers can still appreciate the visual harmony and artistic expression conveyed through the interplay of lines and shapes. Calligraphy, therefore, transcends mere readability, inviting viewers to experience its beauty on a deeper, more contemplative level. The writing of Chinese characters, which was widely adopted in Korea around the fourth century and in Japan in the mid-sixth century, was regarded as the purest visual manifestation of the writer's inner character and level of cultivation. This belief stemmed from the Confucian philosophy that emphasized the importance of personal morality and self-cultivation. The meticulous strokes and intricate forms of Chinese characters were seen not only as a means of communication but also as a reflection of the writer's moral integrity, discipline, and education. Thus, mastery of calligraphy was not merely a skill but a representation of one's inner virtues and intellectual refinement, held in high esteem across East Asia for centuries.
raditionally, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese are written vertically in columns going from top to bottom and ordered from right to left, with each new column starting to the left of the preceding one.
The calligraphy on display in this installation, spanning from the fourth century to the present day, exemplifies the enduring allure of written language as a medium for crafting highly individualized works of art. Across centuries and cultures, calligraphers have imbued their creations with personal expression, skillfully blending tradition with innovation to produce pieces that resonate with beauty and meaning. From ancient scrolls to contemporary compositions, each stroke of the brush reflects the calligrapher's unique style, personality, and creative vision. As viewers engage with these diverse examples of calligraphy, they are invited to appreciate not only the technical mastery involved but also the rich cultural heritage and artistic diversity inherent in this venerable art form. calligraphy regimented rules of the more traditional, time-honored styles. It can be done with a pointed dip pen in ink. They are a natural and organic expression of the letter itself.Develop your own personal flourishing style.
Lift your wrist off the page to allow for fluid arm movement through the entire stroke.
Exaggerating different parts of words
It is long and loosely drawn or small and tightly drawn.
Six major scripts have developed over the course of more than three thousand years for writing Chinese characters, and all are still used in “artistic writing” (calligraphy) today. Each of these styles of writing—oracle bone, seal, clerical, cursive, running, and standard—has distinct differences in appearance.
More than ever, you will want to pay special attention to spacing, avoid overcrowding
Strive for that effortless flow, keep it legible, maintain the tension between thick and thin, remember, less is more
Let’s try to write the same word and try some variations
Try writing it again, but this time curve the entrance stroke in the other direction
The stem is the main vertical downstroke that appears in the mot letters
cursive calligraphy makes words joined together well from the foundation for great flourishing.
Joins letters
Welcome. pretty-bretty
the awe-inspiring legacy of calligraphy.
I’m a paragraph. Drag me to add paragraph to your block, write your own text and edit me.
Beautiful Interface
Enjoy the beauty of hand-lettering art with our enthralling website design!
Art Appreciation
Exploit the hidden potential in the timeless art of calligraphy - its creative beauty will take your breath away!
Colourful Journey
Our calligraphy collection will take you on a captivating journey - from classic scripts to modern letterforms!
Insightful Community
Gain insight into the world of calligraphy - explore and learn about the art with passionate practitioners & aficionados!