Chinese Calligraphy Lesson, Essay Example

My grandfather was the greatest contributor to the lessons I have learned through my lifetime with regards to Chinese Calligraphy. First he taught me there is an art to Chinese Calligraphy and writing is not just a simple form that can be simply mastered with just the insertion of pen to paper. Good posture is perhaps one of the most important tools of interests to master when commencing Chinese calligraphy. Posture helps to write well and in correct form. Learning the tools of the art of writing is the second most important factor to learning to write Chinese Calligraphy. Controlling the brush is the next most important aspect of learning to master the art. When writing, the characters should take the form of flowing smoothly down the paper. All lines should take the same thickness and length to ensure they flow smoothly and give the appearance of congruity. My grandfather was the most prominent personal contributor to the posture I learned about the art of learning Chinese Calligraphy. He learned this art through is father and great grandfather and passed this art through generations.

The essential movements of Chinese Calligraphy are to remember to write from top to bottom and from left to right movements. One must write with infinite patience of the pen and be very gentle. The movement of the heart is very essential to learning the art of Chinese Calligraphy. “Heng, pi and na” are the basics that are taught when commencing a lesson. “Heng is a basic stroke starting from the left and ending at the right. Pie starts from the right high position to the low left position. Na starts from the left high position to the right low position.” (“New English terms introduced from Chinese calligraphy”). After one learns these three basic strokes then they can move on to the “shu” vertical stroke. This is where the center is the trail or the guiding force of the brush and the hand guides this movement. Here is an example of a “shu” or more advanced stroke. Chinese Calligraphy is learned through sheer patience is and is learned through an art of divine virtue.

Then learning the art of Chinese Calligraphy patience is definitely a virtue. I can remember my grandfather pushing me into the pool and leaving me there to fend for myself near drowning to teach me that I could save myself. I felt just as a baby on an island with no one to help. Some lessons in life cannot be simply taught but must be learned through pure experience and devotion. My grandfather was one to teach me these things. He taught me that the calligraphy was an art that had to be mastered through sheer patience, devotion and determination. Learning calligraphy is a gift that can be shared from one generation to another and should be treasured deeply and will be admired by others. It comes with pure determination and perseverance. It is considered an art because it takes form in different poises of practice to master it and become great at it.

Chinese Calligraphy is a technique in a very broad sense in a way in which the individual uses a brush to write specific characters to produce and the art of writing. “There are countless ways to wield the brush.” (“How to Write Chinese Calligraphy”). A laymen of writing would know that the word ‘qi’ means to begin the stroke of writing as well as the word ‘bi’ meaning to end the stroke. It is extremely important to have a predisposed view before making your strokes for making indecisive strokes will only lead to long and exhaustive non-based word construction with little to no meaning.

I would truly discern a meeting with grandfather after years of not seeing him, perhaps in San Francisco, California where the entire family can meet and discuss past experiences and I can learn more of the art of Chinese Calligraphy. I plan to surprise him with this special trip as a birthday gift and take many photos and give him the photos for him to take back with him to China to treasure for many years to come.

References

New English terms introduced from Chinese calligraphy ( 2003) Retrieved February 8, 2010 from, http://www.wavedancing.net/knowledge/terms.htm#Heng

How to Write Chinese Calligraphy (1995) Retrieved February 23, 2010 from, http://www.chinavoc.com/arts/calligraphy/essentials.asp