Chinese Calligraphy: From Pictograph to Ideogram: the History of 214 Essential Chinese/japanese Characters

Chinese Calligraphy: From Pictograph to Ideogram: the History of 214 Essential Chinese/japanese Characters
Average customer rating:

Best Chinese Book of 2006

Exquisite Chinese Characters

One of a kind...but definitely not Japanese

An interesting study

A fairly good introduction to the Chinese writing system.

Chinese Calligraphy: From Pictograph to Ideogram: the History of 214 Essential Chinese/japanese Characters
Edoardo Fazzioli
Manufacturer: Abbeville Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0896597741

Customer Reviews:

Best Chinese Book of 2006.......2007-01-12

Beautiful written characters combined with excelent text and funny image.
Good for both students and teachers !

Exquisite Chinese Characters.......2005-10-12

Each and every Chinese character has a form of its own, representing a particular meaning and/or sound. This book is a good introduction to Chinese characters. An exquisite Chinese character, like thousand words, tells its own story and evolution. Through understanding these key characters, sometimes called radicals, one can discover the beauty of Chinese culture as well as civilization. (...)

One of a kind...but definitely not Japanese.......2004-11-04

I have been inspired by this book to pursue the study of Chinese characters to a deeper level. On the other hand, the more I read and compare it to other resources on the same subject, the more critical I become.

This book has inspired me to a deeper study of Chinese radicals (for a better understanding of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean). The result - I've found it makes a great stepping stone, and can be used for comparative analysis of the surprising variety of information available to English speakers mostly through the internet, or through native language dictionaries for those with access, but it should NOT be relied upon as a single source for learning, teaching, or research. It is reasonably educational and artistic, but not authoritative.

Even though I love this book and go back to it occasionally, there is one huge glaring error, to the point of unethical advertising, starting on the cover of the book. The title misleadingly contains the word "Japanese." Although Chinese characters are an important part of the Japanese language, it contains NOTHING about Japanese. You would have to be aware of Japanese independently of this book in order to make the connection that is made ONLY in the title. It is an English language book explaining aspects of Chinese, with the use of simplified characters created by the Peoples Republic of China as examples - although the simplified PRC characters bear some resemblance to the traditional characters that are mostly used in Japan, they are not the same, therefore making this book less useful for dedicated students of Japanese.

Anyway, despite this beef with the title and the fact that it should not be used a sole source for academic pursuit, it has many more merits than demerits. Since it is one of the very few books dedicated to this specific subject as well, the uniqueness adds a little to its value.

An interesting study.......2004-05-29

I like this book, and so I'm giving it 4 stars, but that is not to say that the criticisms of it are without merit.

Firstly, this book has absolutely nothing to do with learning the Chinese language. You will not be able to read Chinese from buying this book, and it will be impossible to study the language, since there is no systemitized presentation of the language. What this book instead does is presents an interesting geneology of some fairly common, culturaly relevant, or visualy interesting characters. For people who already know some Chinese, or for people who are interested in evolutions of writting systems or graphic design, this is not a bad book.

There are some strange inconsistencies, but I have a theory that explains them. First, the book inconsitently presents some characters in simplified form, while others are in traditional form. Second, criticisms of the caligraphy are fair. They have heart, but it is not really outstanding, and certainly not something to be emulated.

From these two problems, I concluded that the book was not a product of the Chinese mainland, Xiang Gang (Hong Kong), or Taiwan, since such inconsitencies would have been corrected. If you do some checking, that's because it isn't. As you probably could have guessed by the author's name, it's an Italian book. The Italian author worked with a Japanese illustrator to compile the book.

Japanese Kanji are Chinese characters adopted into the Japanese language, but they have been isolated from Chinese for centuries. As a result, some of the more complex characters have been simplified. Simplification of Chinese characters started long before Mao made them standard in the PRC. Infact, they are generaly based on cursive and calligraphic short-hands developed by people who had to write a lot, or who were not educated enough to constantly be in need of writting formal characters.

Many characters have been simplified from their original forms even in the so called "Traditional" character set (Fanti Zi) such as the numbers, and the Tai in Taiwan. The original, complex numbers used in formal Chinese can still be found on currency, mostly to confound counterfiters. Some characters, such as Li, meaning 'inside,' or Zhen, meaning 'real' can be found written one way, but typed in a less simplified way.

Simplification in pre-Mao Chinese was common, but not standardized. When Mao standardized all the characters for the PRC, he took all of the commonly simplified characters, as well as simplifying some other, more complex characters with whole new sets of visual symbolism, some time to enhance the 'phonetic' part of the character, so that it is easier to guess the sound of the word. The characters 'ren' and 'shi,' together meaning 'to come to know' are great examples of this.

Japanese characters are written without these contemporary simplifications since they were linguisticly isolated from Chinese by the 20th century, but reflect many common older simplifications. An prime example of this is the character 'ya' used in 'yazhou' for Asia, or otherwise just meaning second. It is rather dificult to write aestheticaly in Traditional Characters, but in Simplified Characters (Jianti Zi) it is much much easier, if not as beautifull. On the other hand, the correspondent Japanese Kanji is written in the old hand-written style.

Needless to say, the Japanese also have different aesthetic standards from the Chinese. The use of Japanese is not at all uncommon in earlier European Sinology. Ezera Pound, for instance, in translating the works of Li Bai (Also called Li Po, or Li Bo, as it was pronounced during the Tang Dynasty) actualy translated an Italian manuscript which itself was translated from a Japanese copy of the Chinese Poet's famous writtings. This circuitious route would explain some of the, er, to put it kindly, eccentricities of Pound's translations, and it explains some of the inconsistencies in this book.

There are many things this book is not: it is not an introduction to Chinese. It is not an instructional book on how to paint calligraphy. It is not a comprehensive academic study of the Chinese system of writting.

As long as you accept it for what it is, though, and don't mistake it for something it's not, this is a pleasant book. The characters are more or less acurately explained, and they are organized according to important cultural themes. Thus, it is a nice primer on the subject of the esoteric meanings and evolutions of Chinese characters for the casual (not academic) student. There are better books I've read on the subject, but they are all in Chinese.

A fairly good introduction to the Chinese writing system........2002-12-26

This is a fairly good introduction to the Chinese writing system providing insight into its origins and current use. While the calligraphic representations of the modern forms of the characters may be somewhat off, much of the background information is fine. The romanisation system is the officially recognised pinyin romanisation scheme developed by Russian and Chinese linguists during the 1930s and updated in the 1950s; it is generally employed in the transliteration of Standard Chinese into Latin letters. There is no need to worry over what 'dialect' the transliterations belong to because the vast majority of any given publication concerning China and the Chinese language will be in Standard Chinese, the national normative based on Northern Chinese. There are seven to eight Chinese languages with a myriad of dialects each, and it would be illogical to favour the others over the national standard. With regards to the evolution of characters, the sources from which the author bases the evolution is explained in the background information towards the front. I would recommend this as a wonderful coffeetable book, art book, and general introduction to the Chinese writing system, but not as an ultimate foundation in learning the Chinese script. If one is seriously interested in learning good handwriting, I recommend Johan Bjorksten's «Learn to write Chinese characters» from the Yale Language Series. It's inexpensive and perhaps even more useful than the volume on sale here. Both books use pinyin romanised Standard Chinese -- and usually with the tones noted, too! Most books, unfortunately, tend to leave them out. Bjorksten's work should be used as a supplement to a full on course in Standard Chinese (biaozhun hanyu... or, as many may say, putonghua); however, it can stand alone for those who are simply curious about the writing system itself and would like an appliable introduction.

Chinese Calligraphy Made Easy: A Structured Course in Creating Beautiful Brush Lettering

Average customer rating:

Best book I've found on this subject
Fabulous!

Chinese Calligraphy Made Easy: A Structured Course in Creating Beautiful Brush Lettering
Rebecca Yue
Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Calligraphy | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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Zen Brushwork: Focusing the Mind with Calligraphy and Painting

ASIN: 0823005569

Customer Reviews:

Best book I've found on this subject.......2007-10-08

If you'd like to learn to write the "ABCs" of written Chinese, this is the book for you! (That's a joke, by the way, since Chinese has no ABCs.) The book gives very complete and detailed instructions for making the strokes of the Chinese characters, and building them into beautiful characters. I particularly liked the way little arrows show the movement of the tip of the brush, while up and down symbols told you when to lift the brush to its tip, or press it down.

The book is interspersed with attractive little projects you can do with Chinese characters, but the heart of the book is definitely how to write the characters themselves.

Fabulous!.......2005-03-29

This is a fabulous introductory how-to book on Chinese calligraphy. The text and examples are large, the overall presentation of the material is clear and artful. Using this book is really easy.

The publisher's description says:

- Unique, systematic teaching method builds
from basic to advanced brushstrokes,
enabling you to create new words with each
brushstroke you learn

- Two fold-out cover flaps carry key
information to remind you of the anatomy
of each character as you progress

- Organized into a series of lessons and
projects which, as they are worked
through, build the reader's knowledge

- Includes beginner-level projects for
greeting cards, decorative ceramics, and
calligraphic artwork

Some 100 characters are covered. There are chapters on preparing the brushes, holding and loading the brush, wrist and elbow movements, pressing and lifting the brush, various brushstrokes, making a traditional writing book, a greeting card, the five golden rules of Chinese calligraphy, mounting a xuan paper artwork, and more. An appendix shows where Chinese calligraphy supplies can be obtained in the U.S and U.K., each listing has a website.

I happily give this book a full five stars.

Chinese Characters then and now (Edition Voldemeer)

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Chinese Characters then and now (Edition Voldemeer)

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 3211227954

Book Description

For the first time, leading personalities such as Qi Gong, Yau Shing-Tung, Zhao Jiping, Chen Guying and Zhao Ping’an write together about one of the most important vehicles of their culture, Chinese characters. This carefully edited and well-designed volume offers both the Chinese and western reader a unique and thorough insight into the world of Chinese characters.

77 Dances: Japanese Calligraphy by Poets, Monks, and Scholars 1568-1868

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77 Dances: Japanese Calligraphy by Poets, Monks, and Scholars 1568-1868
Stephen Addiss
Manufacturer: Weatherhill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0834805715
Release Date: 2006-10-10

Book Description

The first book on Japanese calligraphy from the significant Momoyama and Edo periods (1568–1868), 77 Dances examines the art of writing at a time when it was undergoing a remarkable flowering, as illustrated by over one hundred sumptuous illustrations. Everything from complex Zen conundrums to gossamer haiku poems were written with verve, energy, and creativity that display how deeply the fascination for calligraphy had penetrated into the social fabric of Japan. Examining the varied groups of calligraphers creating works for diverse audiences will show how these artistic worlds both maintained their own independence and interacted to create a rich brocade of calligraphic techniques and styles.The book begins with basic information on calligraphy, followed by six main sections, each representing a major facet of the art, with an introductory essay followed by detailed analyses of the seventy-seven featured works. The essays include: The revival of Japanese courtly aesthetics in writing out waka poems on highly decorated paperThe use of Chinese writing styles and script formsScholars who took up the brush to compose poems in Chinese expressing their Confucian idealsCalligraphy by major literati poets and paintersThe development of haiku as practiced by master poet-painters The work of famous Zen masters such as Hakuin and Ryokan

Pages 8–9.

Pages 82–83.

Pages 220–21.

The Chinese Calligraphy Bible: Essential Illustrated Guide to Over 300 Beautiful Characters

Average customer rating:

Gets you going in the right direction
Misleading title
So, you want to be a doofus...

The Chinese Calligraphy Bible: Essential Illustrated Guide to Over 300 Beautiful Characters
Cathy Wu
Manufacturer: Barron's Educational Series
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound

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Accessories:

The Handwriting Analyst's Toolkit: Character and Personality Revealed Through Graphology
The Bible of Illuminated Letters: A Treasury of Decorative Calligraphy (Quarto Book)
The Calligrapher's Bible: 100 Complete Alphabets and How to Draw Them

ASIN: 0764159224

Book Description

Calligraphy enthusiasts can expand their horizons and augment their repertory of scripts with this detailed excursion into the method of creating beautifully inscribed Chinese characters. Organized into sections, this book presents Chinese characters that embrace a diversity of themes, including peace, happiness, love, long life, and many others. Each of 300 characters is presented with an explanation of its meaning and a note on how it is pronounced. Clear, step-by-step directions show beginning students exactly how to render the series of strokes which, when combined, create each elegant Chinese character. The author lists all necessary tools and materials, which include different kinds of paper, brushes and brush stands, paperweights, ink sticks, and ink stones. A chapter titled “Gallery of Chinese Calligraphy” presents many examples of traditional and contemporary Chinese calligraphic art from a variety of renowned artists. A glossary defines all items and terms that are cited in the book.

Customer Reviews:

Gets you going in the right direction.......2007-09-28

This is a beautiful book for beginning and intermediate Chinese calligraphy practice. Each character is given stroke by stroke, and there are many helpful hints about the best execution of the strokes. The information is quite good on materials (brushes, papers, inks, inkstones, etc), their proper use, and suppliers. There is even a section at the end about how to paint bamboo and some flowers. The spiral binding is covered by the book's spine, which is nice, because on the bookshelf the spine shows a title, unlike many other spiral-bound books. And the spiral binding allows the book to lay open flat as you practice your characters. I had no idea, though, that it would take so much practice time for one simple stroke to look like it's supposed to. You will definitely develop patience and discipline if you are a Westerner serious about wanting to learn Chinese calligraphy. I haven't seen a better book to get you started, and many of the characters you can learn here are inspirational, like the characters for "Love," "Peace," "Friendship," and so on. When you get good at them, you can make beautiful things to hang on your walls or give to friends. The book shows you the proper method of mounting your work for display. Later, when your brushwork is more refined and you know the order of the strokes, you can look for a more comprehensive book of Chinese characters if you want to write longer, more complex thoughts.

Misleading title.......2007-07-23

The most interesting part of this book is Chapter one: Getting started, which gives information on supplies.
The characters themselves are written in the author's semi-cursive and highly personal style. They are not always legible, at least for the beginner who buys this book. I can't say I find her style very attractive. A printed version of the characters should have been included.
A clearer, much more legible and informative list of characters can be found in "Reading and writing Chinese", by William McNaughton and Li Ying. Stroke order is also included.
I don't recommend this book.

So, you want to be a doofus..........2007-03-18

So, you want to be a doofus...? Well, this book is for you. I do not know how goofs have asked me for Chinese characters that could be tattooed all over their body, guaranteeing them minimum wage jobs without benefits for their entire lives. Never mind that it is nearly impossible for anyone not fluent in the written language to put together a meaningful phrase that is not total gibberish...or worse! Luckily most folks who are fluent in Chinese are too polite to laugh in their face. So, you don't want a tattoo? This is also a good reference book for calligraphers who merely wish to brighten up an invitation or thank you or for a student to add a bit of dash to a Chinese culture poster. Also, a good acquisition for public libraries. Folks who enjoy abusing their skin may also enjoy "Gothic and Old English Alphabets: 100 Complete Fonts" by Dan X. Solo.

In Love with the Way: Chinese Poems of the Tang Dynasty (The Calligrapher's Notebooks)

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In Love with the Way: Chinese Poems of the Tang Dynasty (The Calligrapher's Notebooks)
Francois Cheng
Manufacturer: Shambhala
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 157062979X
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Book Description

The poetry selected for this volume comes from the Tang Dynasty (618-907), an era when the influence of Buddhism was at its strongest in China. The best loved and most influential of all Chinese poems come from this period. Like all books in the Shambhala Calligraphy series, In Love with the Way takes a classic spiritual text that has been a subject for calligraphers for many yearsâand uses it to showcase a uniquely modern example of the calligrapher's art, bringing the text to life in a striking new way. In Love with the Way is accompanied by FranÃ§ois Cheng's introductory essay on poetry of the Tang period, and by a closing essay on the work of the calligrapher, Fabienne Verdier. Calligraphy (from the Greek for "beautiful writing") is an art where word and image meet, where the artist strives to give visual expression to the meaning of words in a way that transcends the text while remaining completely faithful to it. It is a discipline that has been invested with spiritual significance wherever it has arisenâand it has arisen throughout the world in every age, in virtually every language, culture, and religion. The Shambhala Calligraphy series is a collection of books devoted to contemporary expressions of this "art of the word," featuring contemporary calligraphers' striking new interpretations of texts that have been traditional subjects for calligraphic interpretation. Whether in Arabic, Greek, Hebrew, Latin, or Chinese pictographs, the characters, words, and sentences are brought to life anew here in a choreography of mind, hand, and heart by which letter and spirit fuse in a single stroke.

Chinese Brush Painting Step by Step: Step by Step

Average customer rating:

enchanting
French edition
chinese brush painting step by step

Chinese Brush Painting Step by Step: Step by Step
Kwan Jung
Manufacturer: North Light Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound

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ASIN: 1581802072

Book Description

Sumi-E, or Chinese brush painting, is admired and emulated by artists the world over. This beautiful and inspiring book shows painters of all interests and skill levels how to achieve the fluid, spontaneous style of this unique art form.

Through 12 step-by-step projects, readers will learn how to paint a range of popular subjects using traditional Chinese inks, brushes and papers. Projects gradually increase in difficulty, and feature such subjects as swallows, bamboo, wild orchids, plum blossoms, pandas, horses, peonies and more.

An introductory chapter explains the traditional materials used with this style of painting, its subjects and its composition. There is also an in-depth section on technique that covers everything from holding brushes to mastering brush strokes.

Customer Reviews:

enchanting.......2007-08-11

The book is easy to read (and I'm not speaking English as mother tongue), clear plus pictures and paintings are gorgeous from cover till the last page. I find this book over and over again from my hand. Also contents are excellent, speaking of learning how to paint. Although I have taken one basic course in Chinese painting, it still gave me more information including the repetition of the basics. I only can recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn the technique. I already bought one extra for a student of mine.

French edition.......2004-03-03

This book has been translated into FRENCH and is selling now. It is about painting, about art. The French Title is " La Peinture Chinoise, pas a' pas".ISBN: 2-215-07592-9 It is good enough for France to have a translaed copy is good enough to be rated 5 stars.

chinese brush painting step by step.......2003-12-28

I am drawn to Chinese brush painting by its emphasis on form, simplicity and elegance. I also love the use of pen and ink and watercolor. This book is a beautiful introduction and has made me want to read more as I begin to paint in this centuries-old tradition. In my search for serenity and beauty in Nature, Chinese brush painting has calmed my restless soul. Truly a wonderful book!

Book Description

With enthusiasm and energy, he guides the artist through all the traditional techniques, illustrating how to create atmosphere and light in landscapes, focusing on trees, water, mountains, sky and clouds. He shows how to capture liveliness and movement in animals, birds, fish and insects, and he transforms flowers and plants into beautiful works of art skilfully showing how to master composition, inks, paints and traditional brushstrokes. Detail is as important as a spontaneous style; leaves, stems bamboo, feathers, scales and blossom are clearly depicted and Yan also explores texture, blending colours to define shapes and outlines. This invaluable guide captures the essence of Chinese painting, bringing together the fun of learning, the joy of creativity and the delight of discovery.

Customer Reviews:

Really Informative.......2007-05-13

This book is probably one of the best for beginners who want to get a full grasp of how to load brushes with multiple colors, do sequential washes (both wet and dry), as well as lists a full set of materials required for the lesson. Some would argue that it doesn't show the full range of Chinese calligraphy styles available, but I'm saying this book was just what I was looking for. It has several very nice projects to choose from, and all of them are beautiful when finished. It focuses mostly on animals and plants, but is thorough none the less. I did have the privlidge of looking at this book in a bookstore first, before buying it online.

Wonderful Book.......2007-02-13

This is a wonderful book. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to learn Chinese Brush painting. Very beautiful work and easy instruction. One of my favorite art books.

This book is just wonderful!.......2006-10-28

I have half a dozen books on Sumi painting and this is my favorite. Mr. Yan is an extremely talented artist and the examples he uses to teach his techniques are just beautiful. He is very thorough in his explaning how to achieve various effects. I found his explanation of the role and significance of the traditional implements and supplies used in Chinese brush painting facinating. In summary, I learned many new things from this book even though I've been taking lessons for a year and read many other books.

The Ch'i of the Brush: Capturing the Spirit of Nature With Chinese Brush Painting Techniques

Average customer rating:

Not for non-watercolor painters
Capturing the Spirit of Chinese Brush Painting
Lacks the True Spirit of Chinese Painting & Culture
A Must Have Book! A Real Treasure!
Exquisite Eloquence: The Art of Explaining Art

The Ch'i of the Brush: Capturing the Spirit of Nature With Chinese Brush Painting Techniques
Nan Rae
Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0823006190

Customer Reviews:

Not for non-watercolor painters.......2006-03-26

Chinese brush painting is difficult if you lack enough experience with watercolor painting (I have painted with acrylics mainly). The pictures in the book are beautiful and the book is good as just a coffee table book to look at if you are a curious person and wonder how Chinese (or Japanese)painting is done.

Capturing the Spirit of Chinese Brush Painting.......2004-03-27

What a delightful treat for painters of all stages!!! Nan Rae's book is a very lively and spiritual work that draws you to her obvious passion for her art. I'm a beginning painter and have bought several brush painting books. The Ch'i of the Brush is a very dedicated book with beautiful illustrations that are easy to follow-her directions and explanations make you feel that she were giving you the lessons right in your own home!! This book gives you an exciting confidence and enthusiasm for the art that makes you want to learn all that you can do. The histories and works included are very appreciating and thorough--very interesting to read. Plus, the most beautiful part--Nan Rae's wonderful illustrations and paintings are displayed page after page and her happy spirit lifts right off of those pages!! If you could pick only one book on Chinese Brush painting, this is definitely the one to have.

Lacks the True Spirit of Chinese Painting & Culture.......2003-12-09

Being a collector of traditional and contemporary Chinese paintings for over 25 years, I am also very interested in the variety of techniques different Chinese painters use. This book covers the basics of Chinese brush painting, ideas and concepts taught for hundreds of years so there nothing new in this book. Not seeing Nan Rae's work prior to purchasing this book, I was very surprised by the mediocre level of her paintings. Her paintings have a western influence but her ability to merge the two cultures just doesn't work. For myself and other fellow collectors, her paintings in no way capture the essence of what true Chinese culture and its painting is all about. Another disappointment about her work (from this book and website) is that many of her paintings are copied (and not very well at that) from older Chinese paintings and famous artists works. If your really interested in Chinese painting techniques, find books by true Chinese painting masters such as the Chinese painting series by the Asian based publisher Art Book Co. (with English text) and not someone who paints as if it were a casual hobby. Buy this book if you're interested in "reading" about simple Chinese brush techniques but once your actually begin painting, find some reference paintings created by actual Chinese artists who capture the true spirit of Chinese painting and the culture.

A Must Have Book! A Real Treasure!.......2003-11-04

This is a book filled with beautiful art. From the helpful detailed instructions for the beginner to the inspirational techniques and compositions for the experienced artist, this is the one book you must have on oriental brush painting. I teach brush painting and every student lights up when they look through this book. This book goes to every class I teach and every student wants a copy to take home. I have many books on brush painting but this is one I will always treasure.

Exquisite Eloquence: The Art of Explaining Art.......2003-09-22

The first thing that struck me as I thumbed through this graceful publication was how visually beautiful it was. I thought perhaps I had purchased a lovely coffee table book! Ms. Rae's work is beautifully reproduced on its pages and alone is reason enough to buy this book. As I dug deeper, I have discovered the author writes as eloquently as she paints. Her explanations are clear and concise and the illustations are very helpful. But more importantly, perhaps, woven throughout the book is an underlying sense of encouragement. This author doesn't just want to show you "how-to," she wants to inspire you. And I must say, she succeeds. I also suggest checking out her website. She is a prolific and exuberant artist!

The Simple Art of Chinese Calligraphy: Create Your Own Chinese Characters and Symbols for Good Fortune and Prosperity

Average customer rating:

Beautiful calligraphy
Actually, sorry for purchasing that
Truly a masterpiece for all calligraphy beginners & students
An introduction to the timeless joy of an ancient art form

The Simple Art of Chinese Calligraphy: Create Your Own Chinese Characters and Symbols for Good Fortune and Prosperity
Qu Lei
Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Calligraphy | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Chinese Calligraphy Made Easy: A Structured Course in Creating Beautiful Brush Lettering
Fun with Chinese Symbols Stencils
Chinese Calligraphy: An Introduction to Its Aesthetic and Technique, Third Revised and Enlarged Edition
Chinese Calligraphy: From Pictograph to Ideogram: the History of 214 Essential Chinese/japanese Characters
Zen Brushwork: Focusing the Mind with Calligraphy and Painting

ASIN: 0823048381

Book Description

Concise, delicate and practiced for over 6,000 years, Chinese calligraphy is a revered art form, known for installing a sense of grace behind the meaning of each word. In this step-by-step beginners guide, Qu Lei Lei, one of the world's top calligraphers,

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful calligraphy.......2005-11-08

This is a good book for the beginning Chinese calligraphy learner and anyone who wants to know the history and basic principles of the art. It explains "the four treasures" -- the brush, ink, paper, and the ink stone -- and shows how to choose the right ones. It has beautiful calligraphy writing, superior to what is found in many other books on the same subject.

The book contains many easy-to-follow projects. The book does not explain this, but on page 107 it presents the "mounting" project. The two characters shown make the name Tai Shan, also known as Mount Tai, a famous mountain in Shandong Province. Interestingly enough, Tai Shan is also the name for the National Zoo's baby panda. If you are in the mood, you can copy the characters and present the copy to your father-in-law to show your respect. After all, Tai Shan is also one way to address one's wife's father.

I did find a small mistake in the book. On page 123 the last character in the last line should be Gan with the first tone, meaning dry or dried, instead of Gan with the fourth tone, meaning the trunk of a tree.

Overall a very good and eye-pleasing book. Highly recommended.

Actually, sorry for purchasing that.......2004-12-17

Well a do not believe this book is rated as 5-star. I do belive the author is extremly good caligraphy painter but this book is intended may be for really small kids at age like 5-10. Everything is explained in souch a simple and shallow way than nobody seriously interested can be satisfied. Sorry .. nice pictures but for sure.. This book does not have anythink but 10 pages in common with caligraphy. So if you are interested in calligraphy and not in creating smal simple gifts to your child friend dont byu it. But once again the book is not bad.. but badly described or may be I just chose it badly, any way I hope this can help otherst to buy or not to buy.

Truly a masterpiece for all calligraphy beginners & students.......2003-01-11

This is the absolutely perfect book for ANY beginner as they take their first steps on the 1000 mile journey of Chinese calligraphy. From beginning to end, the bold, large text, striking colored illustrations, step-by-step definitions, impressive historical references & accuracy make this book a complete calligraphy BIBLE! This book covers EVERY single aspect of calligraphy from its ancient history and style transformations to individual sections on brushes, inkstones, ink, holding brushes, stoke techniques, components of the basic character of Yong and everything else one would need to understand, getting started, practice and perfect this masterful artform. Sections include: Materials, Techniques, Creating Characters, & LOADS OF PROJECTS to keep the novice entertained and motivated to share their new art with others. There is an abundance of information in this book and the format is rich & well-written. The plethora of character examples and practice techniques can quickly provide the much needed confidence and encouragement to not only keep a dedicated student going but getting the sheepish to begin to pick up their first brush.

There is absolutely nothing missing from this oracle and this is an absolutely must buy for all calligraphy followers. The projects in this book cover everything from fans to greeting cards, bamboo placemats & calligraphy on stone. If you want to be delightfully entertained and educated on the ancient art of calligraphy, then pick up this book! Wishing you a blessed journey!

An introduction to the timeless joy of an ancient art form.......2002-12-09

The Simple Art Of Chinese Calligraphy is a captivating introduction to learning and practicing the 6,000-year-old art of Chinese calligraphy as author Qu Lei Lei draws upon his personal expertise as an artist and calligrapher whose work has been exhibited in a number of galleries and museums in London, Paris, Geneva, Singapore, Tokyo, and Venice, and who has been a guest lecturer in Chinese art and calligraphy at the British Museum, the Victoria& Albert Museum, the Ruskin School of Art, as well as the Christie and Sotheby auction houses. Basic characters for good luck and other worthy concepts, stroke techniques, beautiful paper fans, and much more are discussed and described with easy-to-follow instructions and gorgeous full color photographs. The Simple Art Of Chinese Calligraphy is a superbly presented and truly first-rate introduction to the timeless joy of an ancient art form with an enduring popularity.

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