Calligraphy Writing

Calligraphy Pen - Choosing A Perfect Calligraphy Pen For You

2013-02-26T10:28:00.001-08:00

Choosing a calligraphy pen set may seem easy and simple but one should bear in mind that this is the main equipment which brings out the beauty in the writing. Hence the calligraphy pen set will make a lot of difference and it depends on the individual's choice. If you have the right calligraphy set you can make your hobby a fruitful business as well. For instance if you are practising Western calligraphy, you should choose the set that is best suited for this.

The calligraphy set meant for the Western calligraphy art will have nibs, ink and a pen holder. You should concentrate on choosing the most comfortable pen holder to enable you to bring out your skill to a better level with each practice. The choice of ink and nibs depends on the pen holder which is meant to give comfort throughout the entire learning process.

Though a calligraphy pen resembles a normal fountain pen, its structure differs with the variation in nibs and ink. The nibs are removable and can be replaced without discarding the entire pen. Each nib has its own ink reservoir with the exception of some calligraphy pen sets that have the reservoir attached to the pen itself. However, most calligraphers prefer to have the reservoir attached to the nib.

Pen holders form the most crucial part of the pen as this must be comfortable and feel 'right' in the holder's hands. They are made from different materials like wood, glass, ivory, bone or plastic to suit the user's choice. They are of different shapes and sizes with thin nibs or fat nibs for the choice of lettering. Their colors are vibrant and the entire calligraphy pen set should feel comfortable in the hand of the user for the finest results.

A calligraphy pen set is sometimes fitted with cork or rubber holders that give a perfect grip on the fingers. Some pen sets are light while others are heavy, but it is advisable to opt for lighter pen sets for free movement of the nib to begin with. Some users prefer heavy pens so they don't press too hard while writing on the paper and they hold more firm on the paper. There are a few calligraphers who shop for unusual calligraphy pen sets wherever they travel to take home as souvenirs.

It should be noted that certain manufacturers make nibs that would fit only the pen manufactured by them. This would not allow nibs of other pens to fit your genericcalligraphy pen.

Though this may seem a good business for the manufacturers, for a calligrapher whose hobby is collecting pen holders it is not an ideal situation. It is not always the most expensive pen holder that makes good lettering. It is extremely important to realize that the utility and comfort are more important than attractiveness when choosing a calligraphy pen set.

Author: Calligraphy Pen

Making Your Own Calligraphy Ink

2010-10-28T07:05:00.000-07:00

To ensure the quality of the calligraphy ink you are using for all of your serious calligraphy work, it is a good idea to learn how to make your own, particularly if you are planning some Japanese or Chinese calligraphy that you would like to last. A little effort will be required in the process but the result is a greater control over the density and color.

Traditionally ink was purchased as a solid block. The stick is also called a Sumi stick. Buying it in liquid form is great for its convenience but it is generally acknowledged that it is an inferior product to that which you can produce from a Sumi stick.

Sumi ink is made from a compressed mixture of soot, water and glue. They are often highly decorated and, to look at them, could be considered works of art. They are however quite delicate and it pays to look after them as they're used because the older the stick gets, the quality of the ink that comes from them tends to be better. Although Sumi ink can be bought in a variety of colors, there are two main types : yuen-boku which is black and made from lamp soot, and; Shoen-boku which is a slightly bluish color and is made from pine soot.

So the following few paragraphs contain some basic instructions on how you might go about creating your own and some of the tools you will require.

Apart from a Sumi stick you will also need a suzuri. A suzuri is simply a stone, a flat grinding stone that is usually made of slate with a sloping surface that leads to a well where the ink will collect as it is being made. Start by pouring some water on the surface of the suzuri, the amount that you wish to make will determine how much water to add. When grinding, be careful to hold the stick as upright as possible and rub in a circular pattern pressing only lightly. Doing so will preserve your stick for longer. The water you initially added will gradually grow blacker and thicker as grinding continues at which point you might have to add some more.

Another caution while grinding is to try to utilize the entire surface of the stone to ensure that the surface maintains an even smoothness. Grinding in the one spot every time will cause an indentation in the stone and future grinding will become difficult. After each use the stone should be washed with plain water using your fingers.

To determine whether the ink has reached the right consistency, look for oily trails to form on the stone. These trails will slowly ooze towards the stone's well. Listen to the grinding noise of the stick on the surface of the stone. As you get closer to completing the job you will notice that the grinding sound will become softer and more muffled.

The key to learning to make calligraphy ink is to start today. The more often you go through the process, the easier it becomes and the greater the quality you produce. Making calligraphy ink is an art-form in itself and the process allows you to calm your thoughts and get into the right frame of mind to begin your calligraphy work. The quality you produce will be higher and your finished work will look more vibrant and last longer.

Find out more about calligraphy ink by visiting The Calligraphy Pen

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Damien_Gay

Calligraphy Alphabets And Historical Handwriting

2010-10-21T12:03:00.000-07:00

Isn't 'calligraphy' almost the same as 'historical handwriting'? Yes and no.

There were several forces at work in historical scripts which we don't usually feel in calligraphy today, unless we're professionals earning our living by it. One such force, economy, pushed towards smaller, simpler letterforms written faster and more efficiently. Another force, the client's desire for a display piece, pushed towards larger and more elaborate letterforms carefully drawn and highly decorated. Historically, scribes always had to take into account client budget, deadline, legibility and fit-for-purpose.

Ongoing demand for luxury letterforms at economical prices helped bring into being new alphabets -- smaller, more cursive, easier-to-produce versions of the grand scripts. Ultimately, the printing press took over mass production, and client status perhaps began to be reflected more in bookbindings than in script.

Today, the practical, business side of the written word is taken care of by machine alphabets and hardly at all by our (often nondescript) personal handwriting. Calligraphy is a leisured luxury: using nibs, inkwells and parchment to produce books is almost unimaginably laborious and time-consuming compared with digital print-to-demand. Yet calligraphy flourishes as an art and hobby, and the practice of reproducing calligraphy alphabets is still the foundation of a good hand.

A 'calligraphy alphabet' is an alphabet intended to be handwritten for aesthetic effect. It is modelled on the most successful historical alphabets but its purpose and context have changed significantly. A calligraphy alphabet today may not even work as an alphabet per se; some modern calligraphers have created alphabet display pieces the individual letters of which are impractical to use for writing out a text.

'Historical handwriting', by contrast, is the script which was used during a given period in time for the practical production of documents and books. It can nearly always be thought of as 'the best that could be done in the circumstances'. Sometimes 'the best that could be done' was a spectacular Book of Kells. Sometimes, too, it was rushed, sloppy, wavery, cramped, irregular - the historical equivalent of a bad photocopy - and nevertheless remains as a faithful example of its kind.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are many examples of both calligraphy alphabets and historical handwriting online, some with guidelines on how to write them yourself along with references to further resources. A good place to start is http://www.calligraphy-skills.com 's first training page on the basic skills which apply to any hand.

Harriet Shead writes on arts, education and healthy living. She is an amateur calligrapher with a particular interest in gothic scripts.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Harriet_Shead

A Calligraphy Clip In Gothic Style

2010-10-17T11:15:00.000-07:00

The History And Use Of Chinese Seals

2010-10-14T06:51:00.000-07:00

A Chinese seal is a stamp of sorts, used in place of a signature. Chinese seals are typically made of stone, but can also be made of metals, bamboo, plastic, wood, or ivory. The medium used is usually red ink or cinnabar paste. With the unique symbol to represent the name of the user carved into the stone or other material, it works just like a rubber stamp, leaving a print of the image on a piece of art or a document.

There are three types of Chinese seals. The first is the Zhuwen seals, which imprint Chinese characters in red ink; they are sometimes called Yang seals. Baiwen seals leave a print of a red background, with the image standing out because it is left natural. These are also referred to as yin stamps. Finally, the Zhubaiwen Xiangiinyan seal uses a combination of Zhuwen and Baiwen.

Chinese seals were not always used or looked at as works of art. They were made for emperors to use as their identification symbols in creating and signing legal documents. Seals for the emperors and their families were large seals, often made of jade. The historic Heirloom Seal of the Realm was created by Qin Shishuang, and was considered a device by which to legitimize his "Mandate of Heaven." It was passed down through the years, but was lost during the Ming Dynasty. Various royal seals have been created since then. Chinese seals made for personal use can be used to identify oneself on a work of art, in the cover of a book, or as a signature. A seal can be created to represent a group or company, or it can be inscribed with a poem or proverb. They are often seen on works of Chinese calligraphy or paintings as a signature from the artist.

The seal paste used is generally one of two options. The first is made with silk; finely pulverized cinnabar, an ore of mercury, is mixed with castor oil and silk strands. With the silk strands to bind the mixture together, a thick mixture results, with a dark, oily appearance. Seal paste may also be made with plants. In this case, finely pulverized cinnabar and castor oil are mixed with moxa punk, a substance created from crushing moxibustion. Moxibustion is an herb indigenous to China.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/the-history-and-use-of-chinese-seals-2818979.html

About the Author: Silk Road Enterprises owner, Fang Mei Chen, brings you the finest one of a kind custom made Chinese Calligraphy Artwork and Japanese Decorations on the internet; all at affordable prices. We sell all our products with pride and responsibility.

Tutorial: Calligraphy With A Brush For Beginners

2010-10-13T05:14:00.000-07:00

A helpful video for those wanting to try calligraphy with a brush.

Taking Care Of The Calligraphy Pen Reservoir

2010-10-13T01:49:00.000-07:00

The calligraphy pen is a simple tool that takes considerable application to master. Some pens come with little added extras which may also take some time getting used to.

Some calligraphy pens come with a detachable reservoir and some are permanently fixed. A calligraphy pen reservoir is a little piece of metal fitted to the calligraphy pen nib that increases the amount of ink it holds. You’ll find that it will give you a more even flow of ink. It will also reduce the frequency with which you will have to recharge your pen while working.

The calligraphy pen reservoir might be a detachable piece that can be removed for refilling or cleaning while other pens come with the reservoir permanently attached. Both have their pluses and minuses, but using them is just a matter of trial and error and becoming accustomed to the new tool.

Although a detachable reservoir gives you an easier pen to clean, you also have the responsibility of reassembling the pen carefully. Allowing the reservoir to protrude from the nib will reduce the quality of the ink flow and your work will suffer.

A top-mounted reservoir can prove to be a distraction for some people because it can obscure the vision to the writing edge. There are options available to over come this, such as the Mitchell Roundhand Series pens which have the reservoir permanently mounted to the holder sitting underneath the nib.

Care must also be taken when recharging the reservoir that is permanently attached to the pen. Turn your pen upside down and, either with a paintbrush that has been dipped in ink or with an eyedropper , add the ink to the widest part of the nib. This will allow the ink to fill the space between the nib and the reservoir. Make sure the upper side of the pen nib is ink-free.

Careful application of ink to the nib and reservoir will ensure you maintain a smooth, even flow when lettering and you reduce the risk of leaving large ink blots around your work surface – your lines will be consistently wide.

To clean the reservoir, slide it off and simply rinse it under running water. Soak the nib in a special solvent (such as Higgins Pen Cleaner) overnight and then take an old toothbrush to it to get it clean. Take the soaking nib the next morning and rinse it in cold running water before drying it thoroughly with a towel.

When buying a calligraphy pen with an attached reservoir make sure that you have a close look at the nib and reservoir settings to ensure that the tip of the reservoir hasn’t been bent away from the nib. The flange of the reservoir should sit lightly on top of the pen with little excess air space visible.

As with all important tools, the more care you take with maintenance of your pen, the longer it will remain in good working order.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/art-articles/taking-care-of-the-calligraphy-pen-reservoir-383050.html

Deegee - About the Author: More calligraphy pen tips, information and techniques can be found at The Calligraphy Pen

Calligraphy History And Origins

2010-10-11T02:44:00.000-07:00

The history of calligraphy is as long as man has been putting ideas down in one form or another onto a surface. Written language originated as pictorial drawings and glyphs used around the world by various cultures. The Egyptians raised this to a detailed art with their hieroglyphic form of writing. The written alphabet was created by the Phoenicians, and later adopted by the Greeks and Etruscans. Alphabets continued to be passed from one culture to another. By the first century, the Romans were carving letters into stone, painting them on walls, and had developed a cursive form for daily use. Written language continued to flourish until the fall of Rome.

Calligraphy, literally translated, means "beautiful writing". During the Dark Ages, monks laboriously copied texts to reproduce and preserve literature, religious texts, and other manuscripts. Their work was carefully proofread by Elders and they were provided with distraction-free working environments to minimize mistakes. Calligraphy was used to create a uniform look to the manuscripts. Works from this period are well-known for their ornately illuminated calligraphy.

The invention of the printing press in the 15th century, while making book production easier, did not put a stop to the use of calligraphy. Carefully handwritten script was used for invitations, letters, and formal correspondence.

When copperplate engraving was invented in the 17th century, calligraphy went into a decline. By the 19th century, new forms of pens made the art of calligraphy almost impossible, as the rounded tips were not the right shape to draw the fine turns and curves required by calligraphic rules. William Morris, the British poet, re-introduced the flat-edged pen and brought back the art of calligraphy, founding a society in England in 1922 that promoted fine penmanship and calligraphic skills.

With the advent of the computer and the ease of use of graphic programs, it is easier than ever to print script. Calligraphy continues to flourish, however, with more societies devoted to the art than ever before. Today's calligraphic artist tries to convey the beauty of the words through the art of the lettering.

Calligraphy writing also enjoys a long history in Asia and the Middle East. Arabic and Asian calligraphy forms have long been appreciated as works of art and beauty. Calligraphic artists in the Asian and Arabic schools believe that the beauty of the word comes through the drawing of the character, and both forms have strict rules outlining how each character should be drawn that have been developed over thousands of years.

Sean McDowell writes extensively about all types of calligraphy products and runs a website about calligraphy pen sets. For more information visit http://www.calligraphypensets.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sean_Mcdowell

Profiting From Learning How To Write Calligraphy

2010-10-01T03:19:00.000-07:00

A post retirement hobby job can be very fulfilling for a person with time on his or her hands. Calligraphy as a profession can fill in hours and bring in money. Most people like the graceful calligraphy styled wording on invitations that lends it a more personal touch.

There are many classes for calligraphists at adult centers and in local community colleges. There are different styles of calligraphy like Arabian calligraphy, Chinese calligraphy, Japanese calligraphy and the different calligraphy fonts. After getting yourself a set of good calligraphy pens, you could at first try offering to do calligraphy for your friends before adopting calligraphy as a profession.

When you have the confidence to do a professional job you can leave fliers at bookshops, churches and coffee houses around town, about your professional calligraphy service. You will soon get jobs writing invitations, envelopes, and place cards. You will also get calls to write menus and verse on greeting cards.

You can charge by the hour or by the project. Dedication and delivery on time is the basis of the profession. You should be able to give the client all the invitations and envelopes before the event for which the greeting or invitation is given. You have to make a time schedule with your client as to how many days you will need for the completion of the project.

Calligraphy is a personalized service and requires sufficient time for completion. You can have a good after retirement income with calligraphy. Calligraphy will give you a sense of purpose and a means of making money.

If you need money now, like I mean in the next hour, try what I did. I am making more money now than in my old business and you can too, read the amazing, true story, in the link below. When I joined I was skeptical for just ten seconds before I realized what this was. I was smiling from ear to ear and you will too.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Imagine doubling your money every week with no or little risk! To discover a verified list of Million Dollar Corporations offering you their products at 75% commission to you. Click the link below to learn HOW you will begin compounding your capital towards your first Million Dollars at the easy corporate money program.

http://www.makeamilliondollarsayear.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Serena_Lewis

Using A Good Calligraphy Guide

2010-09-30T01:05:00.000-07:00

Calligraphy is an art and it requires a lot of practice and hard work to master. However, whether you have mastered the art or are a complete beginner it is always good to use a calligraphy guide while working since it will show you the spacing of letters and the angles that should be created when practicing any style of calligraphy.

Though it is possible to create one's own calligraphy guide by keeping track of the letters meant for practice, it is also advisable to get a professional guide that will provide the best accuracy and consistency. It is easy to get this guide sheet from the internet by downloading it onto your system and then getting it printed.

If you are a beginner you may not be aware that there are many styles in calligraphy and hence many calligraphy guide sheets are available for the different styles. These guide sheets produce different angles and lines for each lettering type. These guide lines will teach you how to work on Theodoric style of the medieval period, Offenbach Chancery Font and Fiorenza Font of the renaissance period. With these styles you can place the angles of writing either to the right or use vertical and high lines.

Normally a calligraphy guide is used with a piece of tracing paper. The guide can be placed under the paper from where you can draw over the guide lines. For this purpose you should choose the right types of paper. For instance paper like heavy vellum is not favorable for this purpose as the parchment is very thick and you cannot see the guide lines through it. If you are using this paper you will have to make heavy lines with a pen over the guide before using it for calligraphy writing.

Many years ago, people made paper out of parchments obtained from goatskin, calfskin or sheep skin for calligraphy writing. Though it was meant to be appealing then, today it does not find a place in the art of calligraphy writing. Paper like vellum, bond, linen and many other types of typing paper are used for this purpose. When buying paper you should experiment on each of them with your nib and ink to choose the right paper.

Calligraphy is an art of skill and neatness, not a contest of speed. Hence when practicing calligraphy one should make use of the calligraphy guide, spending much time going carefully and thoroughly through the various lines for the best results. By practicing slowly and carefully you can achieve perfection in time.

Edward Ashcroft-Hamilton is a passionate calligraphy teacher and artist. Click the following link for more great tips and advice on calligraphy guide

Also, for your FREE 10 DAY MINI CALLIGRAPHY COURSE, don't forget to visit www.calligraphywizard.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Edward_Ashcroft-Hamilton

Learn Japanese Calligraphy

2010-09-29T02:31:00.000-07:00

The history of Japanese Calligraphy is found way back in the Chinese civilization and the creation of the Chinese writing system. Just about 4,500 years ago. Calligraphy had already been increase astronomically by the time it arrived in Japan sometime around the sixth century, it was around the same time that the Chinese system of writing (kanji) had also appeared on the seen.

When you are going to learn Japanese calligraphy it is good to know its roots. In Japanese, calligraphy is called shodou, or "the way of writing". Whereby in the Western, it is widely practiced by people of all ages and all walks of life in Japan. It is compulsory, that all Japanese children have to learn Japanese calligraphy as part of their elementary school education.

To learn Japanese calligraphy there are three basic writing styles

Kaisho
Kaisho literally means "correct writing." What this is saying plainly here, is the style in which each of the strokes are made are very deliberate, and clear creating a stylish form that is very similar to the printed version that one might see in a newspaper. This is the style that students that have to learn Japanese calligraphy study first, seeing that it is close to the written characters that they see everyday, to which they're already familiar with, This however creates a balance that gives them the opportunity to get used to using the brush (fude) correctly.

Gyousho
Gyousho literally means "traveling writing" and refers to the semi-cursive style of Japanese. Like cursive handwriting in English, this however will be the style that most people will usually use to write their notes. Furthermore, as with English cursive style, what is written as separated strokes in kaisho style flow together to form a more rounded gyousho. Text written in this style is usually been read by the majority of educated Japanese.

Sousho
Sousho means "grass writing" and refers to the flowing cursive style of Japanese. To learn Japanese calligraphy using this style it will be impotant to observe the readability, of a Japanese artist who rarely allows their brush to leave the paper, resulting in a graceful, swooping shapes. Only those trained in shodou are usually able to read this type of script.

Author Bio:
Learie Des Vignes is a language specialist that loves communicating and exploring new languages using different social networks and software such as rocket languages and you can also visit this link http://rocketlanguagesnews.blogspot.com/2010/07/rocket-languages.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Learie_Des_Vignes

History of Calligraphy

2010-09-27T02:59:00.000-07:00

Calligraphy is an artistic style of lettering. Aesthetics of this stylish lettering system helped it earn its place among all visual art forms. The historic perspective of its evolution as a technique as well as skill also supports its categorization among the art forms. It was initially a vehicle of preserving religious texts. But today it is a means of designer lettering for invitation cards of events, nameplates, memorial documents, and certificates, inscriptions on various media like stone or metal plates, fine art pieces and also for designing logos.

It has been evolved on different parts of the globe in different manners. The conspicuous lines of evolutions have been distinguished as Western, Middle Eastern and Oriental. While Western calligraphy has maintained a singular dimension of evolution, Middle Eastern calligraphy has two branches, viz, Islamic or Arabic and Persian and Oriental calligraphy has evolved differently over discreet geographic regions as China and its imperial occupations in Japan and Korea, as South Asia comprising India, Nepal and Tibet. The shape, size and colors used in lettering vary in each of the three evolutionary trends; so varies the tools.

Basically the Latin writing system has evolved into Western calligraphy. Yet there are lesser involvement of Greek and Cyrillic alphabet writing styles, too. The first formed calligraphy for Book of Gospels was Carolingian. It gradually transformed into Gothic with sharply pointed letters and its rounder yet heavy looking variation was Rotunda. The later was a favorite in Italy and Spain while the former was a preference for the rest of the Europe. Gutenberg's bible used the Gothic style.

The Middle Eastern styles are two distinct evolutionary lines. The older Persian style is eminent for its nail shaped lettering in horizontal, vertical and diagonal directions. It was developed during 6th century BC and continued to be used in monument inscriptions. After a millennium, with the advent of Arabic style it merged into the path of evolution of Arabic calligraphy. Arabic form is better known as Islamic form as it unites works of Islamic artists all over the globe. This has mainly been used to decorate ceilings and walls of mosques.

The Oriental Calligraphy has historically been dominated by Chinese forms. The evolutionary history of this art is rooted in ancient bone inscriptions with Jiaguwen characters whose brush-drawn counterparts sank into oblivion. Through the unification of the vast landmass, since pre-Christian era, different Chinese rulers attempted to regularize single Calligraphic form and styles all over the territory. But the culturally variant political unit spread over the vast landmass kept on practising local forms, even informally.

Indian Calligraphy was initiated during the 2nd Century BC, during the reign of Asoka by introduction of Brahmi and Kharoshi scripts. They were chiefly used in stone inscriptions. Nepalese style is a much younger than other styles over the globe. It started with the spread of Mahayana and Bajrayana sects of Buddhism. But the original style has been derived into many forms which later on migrated to distant parts of South and South-east Asia. Tibetan Calligraphy inherited India scripts. They are evidently found on Buddhist prayer wheels even today.

Tools differs widely between Western and oriental world. While Western world has chosen pens of flat and round nibs and occasionally brushes, the Oriental practitioners preferred to use brushes of different kinds of hairs. The later creates variations in outputs using different bases. However, both the schools subscribed to ink as the sole medium. Contemporary western world is empowered with pens of ink cartridges.

Please visit Private Art Museum at art gallery Mumbai to read more on Calligraphy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_B_Berg

You Can Do Calligraphy Course

2010-09-27T02:36:00.000-07:00

1. eBook Versions Which You Can Run on Your Computer Even When You're Not Connected to the Internet.

2. Access to the Member's Only Areas Where You Can Work on the Internet. The content is exactly the same as the e-books.

3. Lesson Guides which outline the course and explain how to derive the maximum benefit from the lessons.

4. Unlimited email consultations and snail-mail critiques.

Because of the scope of the course, the download version is available in two parts. Part 1 will get you started with the Italic alphabet and a fountain pen. It will show you all the basics. Part 2 will teach you 4 additional alphabets plus how to design posters, maps, awards, etc.

Enrol now click here

Jim Bennett (Bennecelli)
Artist, Calligrapher, Teacher

Learn Chinese Calligraphy

2010-09-24T05:57:00.000-07:00

You have seen it everyplace. The pleasurable strokes in jet black brushed on a canvas. Meaning something, but were unsure what. You see it in tattoos left on the skin to declare deep significance to the wearer, and often out of curiosity we ask what it signifies. It is a peaceful mystery, we are drawn to it naturally. The infamy of Chinese calligraphy has become an art to be understood and learned. Not only do we want it on our walls and skin, we want to become even more personal with it. You can discover Chinese calligraphy, and earn the same pleasurable words as do the masters.

Chinese calligraphy began in 213 B.C. by Prime Minister Li Szu who made over 3000 characters to be used by the Chinese scholars. The five different types, zhuan-shu, li-shu, kai-shu,xing-shu, and cao-shu, are all forms employed in calligraphy. One word can be written in various ways reckoning on the style and the execution of that style. The expression can be liquid, formal, precise, whimsical...it all is in the hand of the applying and unique individual deliverance of the strokes. Many masters from the beginning of origin to now have left their help us to savor as art right now. When you start to study calligraphy, you will adopt a style which is characteristic to you and perfect the strokes as your own form of self expression. The artistic value of Chinese calligraphy is in the skill and method is exclusive to the particular creative ability delivering it. When well done, the words interpretations are more leaning to abstract art, then anything else.

As you learn Chinese calligraphy, you will notice that traditionally certain materials are used in a specific way to produce the eloquent results. The Chinese use special brushes made of rabbit hair or sheep. One brush is for sharpness in line drawing, and the other for rhythm and depth all equaling to the subject's inner self. Also employed in calligraphy, is a thick ground ink mixed with water and applied to Chinese paper (also called rice paper) or silk. This form shows depth, contrast, density and texture and creates a rhythmic balance. When the Chinese apply color to this art form, it is to show the subject's characteristics or moods. Another unique quality to Chinese calligraphy is the poetry inscribed within it. It becomes the artist's signature or inscription exclusive to them.

Chinese Calligraphy minimizes the application of space, occasionally leaving a canvas almost blank, with just more than one brushstrokes leaving a word to contemplate on. The types of this writing don't embrace crowding compositions with overmuch and badly placed brushstrokes. The rules behind studying Chinese calligraphy are to invite simplicity, balance, beauty, and originality of style. You ought to possess graceful execution and represent the depth of meaning of each stroke, whether using a brush or ink. The concept behind Chinese calligraphy is to find understanding and beauty is simple delivery of your position as the artist and what you are projecting as meaning with the picked out style adopted.

When you learn Chinese calligraphy, it is easy to turn into infatuated with the art form and easy to be immersed entirely into cultural richness that has been alive for in excess of a 1000 years.

Find out more about the author in:

bath shower curtains
black and white curtains

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gene_Wilder

An Insight On Some Modern Tools And Techniques Used In Calligraphy

2010-09-20T05:09:00.000-07:00

While entering the world of visual arts, it is hard to forgo the art of fancy lettering. Truly, calligraphy is an art that gives expression to signs and symbols. This art has been in place since ages in different cultures but has not lost its appeal. That is the reason why modern calligraphy is quite vast which ranges from hand-lettered inscriptions and designs to fine art pieces. In older times, the tools used for calligraphy were quite simple and there was no concept of drafting tables or drafting chairs at that time. However, the times have changed now. The tools employed today are much too advanced.

As we all know, the basic tool of calligraphy is a pen. The calligrapher may require a pen that is either flat or round-nibbed along with a brush. There are several multi-nibbed pens and steel brushes available for decorative purposes. Although, people make use of felt-tip and ball point pens as well, the work from such pens do not have angled lines.

The ink that is employed for calligraphy is water based, and so it becomes less viscous than the oil based ones used for printing. The paper or sheet used for this art is the one having a good consistency of porosity. A paper or parchment with such a quality will enable fine lines to be made on it.

Plus, the light boxes and templates offer you to make straight line without the need of pencil markings that can detract you from the work. Another option is a ruled paper that can either be applied for a light box or a direct use. The spaces in the ruled paper are marked both a quarter and half an inch; however the inch spaces are more frequently used.

As for the pens, they are available from different stationary sources. Whether you wish to buy the traditional nib pens dipped in ink or the calligraphy pens that have built-in cartridges, all are accessible in the market. The latter, however, is more preferred as it removes the need to continually dip the pen in ink.

As for the techniques, the western calligraphy has some special features. You might have noticed the illumination of the first letter of each book or chapter in medieval times. When comparing with the Chinese and Arabic calligraphy, the western calligraphic script has strict rules and shapes. The writing followed a special type of rhythm and regularity, and the style displayed the geometrical order of lines on the page. Each character has a precise stroke order and the calligrapher cannot defy that style.

It is mainly the irregularity in characters, size, style and colors that make calligraphy appear so beautiful. At times, it may not seem fully legible to you, but will be certainly meaningful to a viewer who has an eye on such works of art.

Recently, calligraphy tends to flourish in the form of weddings and event invitations. Moreover, we find its usage in logo design, religious art, cut stone inscriptions and memorial documents. Calligraphy is also employed in props and moving images for film and television along with any other work that involves writing.

Connor Sullivan usually buys his children's drafting tables online. He also ordered the drafting chairs online as well.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connor_R_Sullivan

The Art Of Writing - Calligraphy And Bamboo

2010-09-16T05:47:00.000-07:00

In today's modern world, the exercise of writing by hand has given way to texting and typing. Nevertheless, an exercise still exists that celebrates the art of handwriting for its ability to communicate the spiritual planet with the artist. Meaning gorgeous composing, the exercise of calligraphy can be a skill type that conveys the emotions, integrity, aesthetic feelings and culture of the artist to its readers. In this training, the medium of the artist and how it is wielded is as critical as what is put on paper. It really is necessary to choose the right tool to produce these wonderful characters and the bamboo brush is that tool.

Considered among the Four Treasures of China, the bamboo brush (pen) is sturdy but light, adequate to let the artist accomplish the quick, forceful strokes needed to hit the paper properly. Writing brushes themselves are extremely valued and are generally seen as a symbol of the spirit unique to the Chinese folks. The tip in the writing brush is usually made of hair of diverse animals. The calligrapher dips the tip in ink, and wielding the shaft with several hand movements, produces characters on the paper. The composing technique revolves around the means to hold and use the brush to write characters. The Chinese term gi bi signifies to begin your stroke along with the term shou bi signifies to end your stroke. In writing, both strokes include these, the crucial steps that determine the form of your stroke. You can't make indecisive strokes and must know how you are going to write the strokes and where they are leading to. Forceful strokes ought to be distinguishable from light strokes. Your characters will be like withered trees, formless and styleless if you are unfocused.

The practice of calligraphy is definitely an intense discipline being studied and is surely a significant part of Chinese culture. It entails the evolution of composing styles as well as the development of rules and techniques. Even prior to gi bi, the calligrapher have to adhere to the traditional way of practicing handwriting by following the three basic actions of mo, Lin and xie. Mo entails tracing while practicing holding the brush. Whilst practicing, the main areas of focus will need to be stroke, structure and style of calligraphy. The next step, Lin, involves having a model to copy and beginning to take a conscious approach to realize the characters themselves. Following a couple of months of detailed study comes lin xie, through which the very first copy of stroke is made on paper after studying the specimen and memorizing the strokes.

No matter its origins, calligraphy remains an enduring fine art variety in this modern age. Mainly because of its reliance on its medium to create the characters inside the strong but flowing manner needed, some say that calligraphy is a fine art of the brush. The bamboo brush is the medium that may keep this wonderful art flowing.

Douglas Michaels Jr. writes educational articles for Green Earth News, the authority on everything Bamboo. For more information on Calligraphy And Bamboo. Check out Green Earth Bamboo for bamboo sheets, bath towels, duvet covers, clothing and baby products, all made from the world's most sustainable and renewable resource on the planet.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Douglas_Michaels_Jr.

Notes On How To Write Calligraphy Alphabets

2010-09-15T02:25:00.000-07:00

Uncial

Uncial has a formal, serene appearance enlivened by the rhythmic alternation of narrow and rounded letters and the ripple of the short ascenders and descenders.

Your pen angle should be 0-15 degrees (ie pointing straight up the page). Rotate the page anticlockwise before writing, so your wrist is not cocked too steeply for comfort, or use a specially-designed nib. If you're using a quill, it helps to cut it so the left corner forms an acute angle.

Uncial letterforms are around 4 nib-widths high with another nib-width above and below for short ascenders and descenders. Allow a good half-line at least of space between lines of script.
Uncial is characterised by its strongly rounded, graceful and powerful aspect. It does not slant. Letters should be carefully spaced. Serifs are straight-topped and their underside curls smoothly into the letter.

Some twisting and lifting of the nib is useful to form parts of 'A' and 'N' and the thin diagonal strokes of 'V', 'W', 'X' and 'Y'. A nib-twist can also be used to create 'drooping' serifs on the branches of 'C', 'E', 'F', 'G' and 'S'. Often, minuscule forms are mixed into uncial from 'half-uncial', which is historically a different script of similar appearance which has strong Celtic associations. The variant letters are generally 'a', 'b', 'd', 'g' and 't'.

Gothic

Gothic is densely textured, prickly-looking and highly ornamental. Its minuscules are angular, with blocky serifs; their form is based on a small rectangle.

Gothic majuscules are usually elaborate 'doubled' forms of the letter, decorated with hairlines and hackles (hooked shapes on the back of the letter), and often written in vermilion. Use the left point of the nib to draw hairlines.

Your pen angle should remain fairly constant, at around 45 degrees. All gothic letters are upright, not slanting. Minuscules should be 4.5-5 nib-widths high; ascenders and descenders are 6-7 nib-widths for all letters except 'd' and 't', which lie in between the x-height and the ascender height. Descenders take another 2 nib-widths below the line.

Some traditional 'blackletter' Gothic scripts are very compact and regular, almost to the point of illegibility; on the other hand, Gothic doesn't look good with too much space between the letters. Use it for titles, announcements etc rather than long body text.

Italic

Italic is an elegant, almost cursive calligraphy alphabet. Because it is very easy on the eye, it is suitable for writing out decorative texts such as poems, certificates, wedding invitations etc. Fluency, good proportions and regularity are the primary characteristics of the script.

Hold the pen at approximately 45 degrees. Italic minuscules are 5 nib-widths high and based on a lozenge-shape. Ascenders and descenders are comparatively long -- another 2 nib-widths above the x-height. They may be formed with serifs or extended a little forwards, parallel with the direction of writing. All letters slope approximately 15 degrees to the right.

Italic majuscules are often left as simple forms a little shorter than the full height of the ascenders, but may also be given long, decorative 'swash' strokes for ornamental use.

Roundhand

A good roundhand consists of very regular, well-proportioned, well-spaced letterforms. Clarity and simplicity are the key qualities. Of all the calligraphy alphabets, this is probably the easiest to read, and so is very suitable for longer texts such as passages of prose, books of poetry, diary entries etc.

Your nib should be held at an angle of around 30 degrees; the x-height is 4.5 nib-widths. Ascenders are 7 nib-widths high, ie 2.5 above the x-height, and descenders go 3 nib-widths below the line.

Allow plenty of white space inside and between your letters; don't cramp them. The rounded shapes of 'a', 'b', 'c' etc are quite circular, and strokes are confident and absolutely vertical. Serifs are bold and elegant and letters ending in a downstroke finish with a rounded upflick. Roundhand majuscules are generously proportioned and a full 7 nib-widths high.

To see examples of each of these hands, visit this calligraphy alphabets page and scroll about half-way down.

Harriet Shead is an amateur calligrapher and enjoys experimenting with letter-forms among her other interests, which are mostly to do with arts, literature and healthy living. She is particularly enamored of Gothic alphabets.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Harriet_Shead

Using A Calligraphy Fountain Pen

2010-09-14T03:57:00.000-07:00

Calligraphy means beautiful writing and to achieve this you need to start with a good pen. This is where the calligraphy fountain pen plays an important role as vital equipment in the field of calligraphy writing. The fountain pen is not a single piece but consists of the main body or the pen holder, sometimes known as the handle.

The holder or the handle is the part that you would hold in your hand when writing; hence this should feel comfortable when you hold it. You can choose from varying sizes from slender to thick. Choosing the best calligraphy fountain pen is like choosing an ordinary pencil or pen that feels comfortable to grip while writing. If you require a good grip you can choose the type which is rubberized or has cork grips that would avoid the fingers slipping while doing calligraphy writing.

Plastic, glass, wood or even bone are some of the materials used to make a calligraphy fountain pen. However if you are an antique lover you could even choose an ivory pen which were very popular during the years when the harvest of ivory was not considered inhumane.

Have you considered a glass calligraphy fountain pen? It is a beautiful piece of art in itself, especially the spiral-shaped hand-blown pen. It is very comfortable providing an easy and very firm grip. It comes in bright and attractive colors forming stripes and solid colors in attractive patterns.

A calligraphy fountain pen in wood would be an ideal choice for a person who loves wood carvings on the pen, showing the craftsmanship of woodwork like the craftsmanship of the writing styles they are practicing. Though it may cost a bit more than the regular calligraphy pens it is worth it because of its intricate carvings.

If you are looking for bone pens it could be quite difficult except in East Asian calligraphy kits that do not use nibs but brushes instead. Plastic pens are the choice of many and they are freely available. These are highly recommended for beginners since they may find other material hard to manage while practicing.

The next vital part for the calligraphy fountain pen to produce the best results in making lines on the paper is the nib. Usually there is a reservoir with ink attached to the nib, although some pens have an ink cartridge within the body of the pen. The choice of nib varies from metal to plastic. Though metal is more durable, people tend to prefer plastic ones since they move more freely on the paper.

There are different types and sizes of nibs ranging from fine tipped nibs for thin lines and wide tipped nibs for thicker lines. The structure of the nib of the calligraphy fountain pen with a reservoir is very versatile as you can change ink according to your choice more frequently by just washing off the older ink and replacing it with another color. Soap should not be used to clean pens or nibs. To protect nibs from rusting they have a special coating after manufacturing. This has to be washed off before starting to use them with ink.

Edward Ashcroft-Hamilton is a passionate calligraphy teacher and artist. Click the following link for more great tips and advice on calligraphy fountain pens

Also, for your FREE 10 DAY MINI CALLIGRAPHY COURSE, don't forget to visit http://www.calligraphywizard.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Edward_Ashcroft-Hamilton

What Calligraphy Book Is Best For You?

2010-09-10T01:13:00.000-07:00

Calligraphy is the art of beautiful writing which is found printed all over the world. There are a huge number of books based on calligraphy that could be confusing to a beginner looking for the best calligraphy books. The contents vary from instructions on how to practice the art, to information about the history and art of calligraphy. This leaves the decision of which is the right book to choose to the reader.

The decision is quite simple, especially if you have made up your mind on what you intend to do. For a few it would mean learning the art, for which calligraphy books with instructions would be necessary. Not everyone is a beginner to calligraphy, so for more experienced individuals wanting to learn more styles in writing the informative calligraphy books would be ideal.

For beginners who are just being introduced to this art, it is important to set a budget for the purchase of the book. The next point to consider is the type of skill level which should be determined according to the level of the beginner. Choice of inks and pens is also a point to consider since there are various brands in each of these. Look for calligraphy books that give instructions on how to set up the drawing table and how to use the specific equipment to obtain perfect lettering.

The best books will give clear instructions to the user on how to hold the pen and how to make angles while doing lettering. It will not only have written instructions but also pictures or photographs depicting the styles of practicing calligraphy. It will give details on the use of pens and nibs for the various types of lettering, so the user will feel comfortable while practicing calligraphy.

Since calligraphy is an art of perfection, if the letters are spaced incorrectly the result will be less than satisfactory. Hence calligraphy books that show beginners or other users how to face common problems that can occur while learning the art should be singled out. Look out for practice pages on formation and the combination of angles, shapes and spaces, so that it will help in creating the final lettering.

Calligraphy books vary in the information they provide, hence the user should concentrate only on the style that they are interested in when first starting to learn calligraphy. This will help the user to avoid confusion between the many different styles of alphabets and lettering. Later when the beginner is confident that it could be a proficient way of earning income, calligraphy books that give tips on how to start a profitable business and how to advertise should be chosen rather than the regular instruction and information calligraphy books.

Edward Ashcroft-Hamilton is a passionate calligraphy teacher and artist. Click the following link for more great tips and advice on calligraphy books

Also, for your FREE 10 DAY MINI CALLIGRAPHY COURSE, don't forget to visit www.calligraphywizard.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Edward_Ashcroft-Hamilton

Tips For Achieving Amazing Calligraphy

2010-09-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

Beginners often find it difficult to learn the art of calligraphy. But the main point to remember and understand is that calligraphy writing is different from normal writing. When one is practicing to calligraphy write one is practicing to form the shape of letters by placing the angles and letters in the right form.

Calligraphy should be considered as drawing rather than writing. Normal writing combines letters together to form words, but try to have a when you calligraphy write you are forming and connecting pictures instead of letters together to form a particular style. These pictures are the lettering style that you will adopt when representing a particular idea.

The calligraphy pen should be used properly, especially for beginners; they should first learn how to hold the pen at a 45 degree angle when you calligraphy write. Holding the pen at this angle you should slowly move the pen up and down forming vertical lines on the paper. The paper should be straight while you work with your pen in the best position. By doing this exercise the calligraphic writer allows the small muscles in the hand to become well trained, like when a baby's big muscles get trained when it crawls or when it learns to walk.

After thoroughly practicing the art of making vertical lines on the paper you can start to make serifs or smaller lines which extend at the end of the letters. You will feel the proportion of these lines when you calligraphy write the letters. The next step would be to practice small circles sized consistently. This can be done using different types of nibs that would give a different appearance to the letters and also provide a special feel in the hand.

Sometimes the calligrapher may specialize in vertical lines and opt for Gothic Calligraphy or maybe, if the writer prefers to use circles, they would specialize in Carolingian calligraphy that may seem an easier way to calligraphy write letters.

If you are a beginner to calligraphy you may prefer to use markers to calligraphy write. Though they are easy to practice with, the result is not as effective as when you use a metal nib pen. Despite the fact that these inks may fade in the course of time, more people prefer to use the cartridge pens that have dye-based ink.

The best way to calligraphy write is using a metal nib for the best results. It may begin to blot initially leaving you the embarrassment of not being an excellent calligraphy writer. But this will slowly vanish with further practice and control of the pen. To obtain a smooth and free flow of ink while writing, the position of the pen should be maintained till the end.

Edward Ashcroft-Hamilton is a passionate calligraphy teacher and artist. Click the following link for more great tips and advice on learning to calligraphy write

Also, for your FREE 10 DAY MINI CALLIGRAPHY COURSE, don't forget to visit www.calligraphywizard.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Edward_Ashcroft-Hamilton

Choosing Your First Calligraphy Writing Set

2010-09-08T05:38:00.000-07:00

Calligraphy is known to all as the art of creating beautiful and decorative writing, especially for special occasions like wedding invitations, logo designs, memorials, maps and even graphic design. This art is used almost exclusively for such special occasions, as the beauty of calligraphy adds to the occasion.

Calligraphy in Greek means 'kallos' and 'graphe'. These two words together are today known as calligraphy or 'beautiful writing'. This art was derived from the Greek alphabet way back in the 4th century B.C. Today to learn calligraphy all you need is a good calligraphy set and good instructions.

It is very easy to get a calligraphy set from any store in your area as they are widely available. They are very cheap - not more than $20 - and very useful, comprising a bottle of ink, a pen holder and a limited number of nibs sized differently for different styles. This set is meant for Western calligraphy. For a beginner it is best to choose this type of calligraphy set instead of getting many pen holders with many nibs.

After leaving the beginner stage and entering the expert level you will definitely want more than a dozen different types of nibs to change with your pen holder. By doing this you will get used to holding one pen and will get the comfort and control that you require. If you change pens each time you need a new nib, it will be difficult to get used to the grip and feel of different pens.

The choice of nibs in a calligraphy set varies. The very small nibs can be used for making swirls, fine tails and drawings that require delicate strokes. This becomes useful when making invitations or important announcements. For bold strokes you will require a medium sized nib. If you are interested in poster drawing you will require an oversized nib that would make a bold impression on the paper. Most medium-sized and over-sized nibs are meant for flyers and posters.

As you progress in your hobby, you will find that an East Asian calligraphy set will not have pens but rather brushes of various sizes with different types of hair at the tips. Along with this the set would have a water cistern and an ink stick and ink stone to prepare your own ink. The relevance of this style of calligraphy is in the making of your own customized ink which was introduced before the 1st century. Though there are no parchments available to prove this point, records do prove that it existed much earlier than the Greek version. However, many archeological carvings prove that East Asian calligraphy did exist in stone tablets with a combination of Greek alphabets as well.

A calligraphy set will give you immense pleasure as you go about creating beautiful letters for special occasions. Calligraphy is an art just like music or painting and requires enough practice and immense dedication to achieve the best results. Even if you are left-handed, here are calligraphy sets in stores as well as books catering especially for you.

Edward Ashcroft-Hamilton is a professional calligraphy teacher with over 25 years experience. For more great tips and advice on buying a Calligraphy Set visit http://www.calligraphywizard.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Edward_Ashcroft-Hamilton