Learn Calligraphy & Brush Painting

This is a sequel to The Making of Wishing Brush 1 article. 

Figure 7. Master Lin combines hair

Master Lin arranges the combined hairs on a straight edge by blending the hair. He continuously dampens the hair with lime water. He then inspects the hair and makes sure that they are smooth, flat and uniformed. 

Figure 8. Brushing out hairs with cow bone comb

Master Lin takes grasp of the hair and brushes it out with a cow bone comb. This will better mesh the hair and will help avoid knots and flyaways.

Figure 9. Rolling the hair

After combing the hair Master Lin places the hair atop a layer of dampen goat hair and then carefully rolls the hair together. The goat hair will remain as the outer layer. 

Figure 10. Tying the rolled hair

Master Lin makes about a dozen brushes at a time. He ties the rolled up hair with white thread at the bottom thickened end. He ensures that the hair is fastened together firmly with the thread. Tying the rolled up hair is a crucial step when binding together. The hair must be properly tied to avoid it falling out.

Figure 11. Cutting the rolled hair

After binding a dozen or so hair rolls, Master Lin individually cuts the hair rolls and sets them apart.

Figure 12. Attaching the hair to the ferrule

Master Lin attaches the hair to the ferrule using sea weed glue.  He ensures that the hair is in place and intact.  In traditional brushes the ferrule is made of water buffalo horn which is stronger than bamboo by itself.  The ferrule binds the hair to the bamboo handle and ensures a stronger grip on the hair. Using water buffalo horn for a ferrule also gives the brush a different feel.

• Wishing Brush No. 1 
• Wishing Brush No. 2 
• Wishing Brush No. 3

Wishing Brushes are sold exclusively by Good Characters outside of Taiwan.

Four generations of traditional brush making have long survived in the Republic of China’s grand capital, the city of Taipei. Lam Sam Yick, our exclusive calligraphy and painting brush supplier, is a family owned company established a century ago. They are famous for their development of high quality brushes by using all natural products. Their number one top seller is the Wishing brush which has been in the making for the past 96 years. What distinguishes this family’s success in the brush making industry is locked in their secret technique of creating their brushes. Their system entails using an exact percentage of different hair types to create a perfect brush. These brushes present the calligraphy artist with higher quality by maintaining its original shape during and after usage, as well as allowing the artist different characteristic in their script. Pictured below you will see Master Lin assembling the very favored brush.

Wishing Brushes are sold exclusively by us outside of Taiwan.

• Wishing Brush No. 1 
• Wishing Brush No. 2 
• Wishing Brush No. 3

Figure 1. Materials for brush

Traditional calligraphy brushes are crafted by using all natural products. The shaft is crafted out of bamboo, the ferrule is composed of water buffalo horn and the brush hair is gathered using various types of animal hair like goat and weasel (traditionally known as wolf).

Figure 2. Goat hair

Figure 3. Goat hair

Master Lin begins by dampening goat hair with lime water. He then lines up the hair on a straight edge and evens it out on the flat surface. He continues to dampen hair with lime water while flattening it out.

Figure 4. Lining up goat hair

Figure 5. Lining up goat hair

Master Lin pulls the goat hair with a needle like tool and aligns the hair on one side of straight edge. He makes sure the hair is even. 

Figure 6. Master Lin aligning hair

Master Lin proceeds with this same process for all five layers of different brush hairs that will be used to create the special Wishing brush. He ends up with five different layers of hair in varying lengths. The heart of the brush is composed of weasel hair that will allow the brush to have greater flexibility. The outer layer is composed of goat hair.

Continue to Figure 7-12.

 
Art-0013

Many artists we talk to say the process of grinding the ink is like meditation; it takes time but it also gives them time to think and calm their mind. The repetitious movement gradually takes the mind away from ordinary, daily distractions and clears the mind. Also, the ready-made ink is consistently black, somehow too perfect. The ground ink has gradients that give the calligraphy or brush stroke more character. That is what the art is about. The process and the unique result. Slow, imperfect, and yet totally human. Art.

1. Flow Brush Large
2. Flow Brush Extra Large
3. Orchard Bamboo Brush Medium
4. Silver Mountain Brush No. 2
5. Shitajiki Felt Mat Large
6. 3 Inch Engraved Inkstone
7. 6-Brush Brush Rest - Limited

1. Purple Haze No. 3 Brush
2. Special Writer’s Brush Large
3. Beginner’s Calligraphy Practice Paper Set 3
4. Student Grade Inkstick
5. Shitajiki Felt Mat Medium
6. 6-Brush Brush Rest - Limited
7. 3 Inch Engraved Inkstone

We have a fabulous new product to add to our line of quality handmade scrolls, a medium-sized red damask fabric blank wall scroll. Dimensions: Outter 12″ x 46″ and writeable area 9″ x 27″

The scroll is designed for your calligraphy or shui-mo or sumi-e paint work and will elegantly display on any wall.

The scroll has a woven string that can be used for hanging or to tie the rolled scroll when not displayed. This beautiful scroll also makes a great guest book and can be used for weddings, graduations, birthday parties, Chinese New Year’s parties, or for any special occasion.

The scroll is weighted on the bottom with a solid wooden dowel. A beautiful gift box is included.

The white paintable center is made of fine paper and measures 27 inches long and is 9 inches wide.

The scroll measure 46 inches long and is 12 inches wide. That is almost 4 feet tall when hanging!

In stock for immediate delivery. $24.95 ea.

Also pictured:

• Extra Extra Large Combination Brush
• Five Inch Brass Ink Box

Good Characters has worked with Lam Sam Yick, one of the most reputable Chinese brush makers for over a hundred years, to develop this quality calligraphy kit for the advanced calligrapher.

Unlike unbranded calligraphy kits that are good-looking but low quality, this kit’s maker has put its reputation behind the product and the quality is guaranteed.

Includes four top grade brushes, one ink stick, one ink stone, one brush rest, and one absorbant felt. Packaged in a wooden storage case.

This calligraphy set has three brushes, one ink stick, one ink stone, one brush rest, and one water dropper. The wooden carrying and storage box is made to protect your Calligraphy Kit. The case will last for a very long time. It measures 11-5/16″ x 3-3/4 ” x 1-15/16″. The entire kit weights 1.13 lbs.

This is a good brush for writing Kai, Xing, or Grass scripts.