How to start? | Chinese Calligraphy Tutorial

[@hanagrace-]

Great little video! 🤓 The only thing needed to be pointed out is a clarification on the term 'kanji'. This is not the Chinese but the Japanese name of the characters. So if it's a Chinese calligraphy video, using the Japanese term for it causes confusion. "The Japanese term kanji for the Chinese characters literally means "Han characters". It is written with the same characters as in traditional Chinese to refer to the character writing system, hanzi (漢字)."

[@elsakong8878]

Right! I noticed that too. I was like what kenji is he referring too? Thanks for clearing up my confusion. :D

[@heckincat1406]

It's actually magical how beautiful chinese calligraphy is.

[@aesthetic6406]

With the horizontal stroke, you can already write a few characters; 一，二，三. But with the vertical stroke, you can write even more characters; 十，上，土，王，干，丰，工，圭，士, 止，正. These are just a few examples of possibly many characters you can write with these.

[@jiezhu7673]

As a Chinese i learnt caligraphy at primary school but i almost totally forgot how to write the strokes properly with a brush. Your video is awesome! And your writing is very beautiful ( ﹡ˆoˆ﹡ )

[@calligraphernick7849]

Thanks for sharing! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@usamanasher3900]

I blame social media 😂🤔

[@fingersprint6665]

This was such a pleasure to watch, thank you! I finger paint for the meditative aspect and just started looking at Chinese calligraphy to help me improve what I do with my hands. I'm glad this channel exists to help people find something to add into their routines for calming and artistic creation as well as the cultural connection.

[@calligraphernick7849]

I'm really glad you enjoyed it! And that it helps, I find it soothing as well since I don't really think about anything else while doing it, feel free to email me your finger paints, would be cool to see them! [e-mail]

[@jmar5324]

V

[@williamshores9672]

I’ve had this calligraphy kit for 10 years and I’m just opening it now. Love it and the meditative method of making ink. Thanks!

[@billytheproyeah2034]

Too bad you didn’t start before, you’d be a pro then 😊

[@elsakong8878]

Great tutorial! You're voice is calming and you make it easy to follow along, thanks!

[@帝黄-l7e]

I am very proud that our Chinese calligraphy can spread abroad

[@s.mh410]

I've been taking Chinese calligraphy class for almost more than 6 months now. My teacher signed me up for competitions and i've been learning well. The tutor told me that my strokes and characters placement are good and better compared to when I first stepped into her class with no brush, paper or even knowlegde. She said now I gotta start understanding what i'm writing. I watched this video when I first got my brush and ink. It helped very much.

[@tessoleary626]

You are awesome. I’m watching all your videos and loving them. So relaxing and a great way to learn. Lots of love!

[@stupidsecret4606]

as someone who is familiar with the culture of China and Japan, I wanted to state that the color red is not used very often precisely because of its meaning... of course it is used in correcting tests and even for aesthetics

[@conturina]

writing names in red is not often precisely because of the meaning

[@conturina]

but I don't think it is forbidden to write something else

[@BockyDuh]

I lived this vidoe so much! my teacher showed this to us and i learned lots!

[@wanghuning2338]

I absolutely love this as I’ve always had found Chinese calligraphy stunning

[@WooHooVic]

I really appreciate you mentioning how one should slow down and meditate when writing kanji. I tried rushing and writing off the bat and it felt so wrong. When I began to focus on the characters and slow down everything felt so right!

[@sueheads8882]

Thank goodness i found your channel. I recieved the most beautiful set of the four treasures for christmas. My husband knows my love of all things Chinese😊 Now, I need to learn how to use them! I have used Chinese brushes in my art, but am a pure beginner with calligraphy. I shall be here a while I think😃 Happy New Year and much love from Yorkshire

[@calligraphernick7849]

Hey that's just wonderful! I'm so pleased that my videos helped, I've been away for awhile but I'm back doing more calligraphies. It'd be nice to see your works too if you'd like to share, feel free to reach out via email:). Happy 2021!

[@Haerinmato]

As a half Chinese I started learning calligraphy in elementary school then stopped now learning ik high school thx

[@eschelar]

Haha. Nice video. I did an entire semester of my Chinese homework just using calligraphy. 4-6 hours per day. Could not get my head around it at all and wound up just getting worse and worse, the more I practiced. Ironically, the only instruction I ever got was to just watch the way someone else did it and that same single page of instruction found in every book of the 8 basic strokes. I had 3 different instructors over a few years (not consistently studying with them), but it just ended up being no more than an exercise in calming my mind. Not a terrible result, but would have been nice if I had learned how to write well. Haha I think your style is very good as an instructor.

[@loriholand]

Yes grinding the ink is my favorite part also. It is a form of meditation. Thank you so much.

[@natashacarter1528]

You are an excellent teacher! These are very easy to follow, and explained really well.

[@jillash7495]

That was very relaxing, informative and mindful, thank you :)😊

[@fredkrol932]

I love the approach you have to teaching: calm, peaceful, almost meditative. I am looking forward to learning from you. Do you think you could provide the exact name of the brush and where to buy it? Also, there are so many kinds of rice paper that it would help to know the kind and where to buy it. I found the stone and ink stick many years ago at a high-end stationery and art supply store. I love the ink. I am a calligrapher and use it often. Thank you for creating this class.

[@bradleyrusso2865]

your gentle, reassuring tone and demeanor are soothing to me

[@m.c.degroffdavis9885]

Wonderful! Your video is instructive, soothing, and beautiful.

[@avroml]

9:22 Do I find this soothing?! It's beyond soothing!

[@calligraphernick7849]

Lol, that’s brilliant!

[@noisycoyote]

Thank you for posting this video. Very calming and insightful.

[@tivsterino]

That inkstick was really beautiful.

[@calligraphernick7849]

Right?!

[@emmanueledrus8371]

The words 'ten' is beautifully stroked!

[@evanriddle1614]

Holding brush! Also good for art to manage the watercolor. Chinese brushes and papers are different from western versions. Wood and cotton used with starch added. Rice paper is starch already! Thank you.

[@tammyharty6382]

Thank you, that was peaceful. I just started, but I absolutely love it!

[@Amoybill]

This truly is relaxing just to watch, but less do. Thank you!

[@HaiPham-jz8uu]

Thank you for the time and effort to show us Chinese calligraphy, please make more video to teach us al the basic strokes

[@calligraphernick7849]

hey i'm glad you enjoy the videos, there'll be more of them for sure!

[@millyfluidart7482]

Very soothing, felt very relaxed during your beautiful tutorial, thank you 🙏

[@rmuller366]

Love this! Thank you for sharing Nick. I just got my brushes yesterday and planning to use for watercolor painting. Glad I landed here for some basics. Blessings to you!

[@calligraphernick7849]

You are so welcome, Rita. Enjoy the creative process!

[@xiaofanglin4529]

The video is very good! You have explained very clear, but I have found there is a mistake, the brush is not wolf hair, it made from weasel's hair.

[@mareeamoghanda1563]

Have just started to learn hw to speak and hw to write Chinese but eeeeh man in with your strokes....its really awesome💕💕💕👌👌

[@calligraphernick7849]

Hey thanks! Best of luck with your study!

[@june_fatimm6498]

This is a beautiful art, i wanna learn more

[@calligraphernick7849]

glad you like it! I'll be uploading more videos soon, stay tuned :).

[@june_fatimm6498]

@@calligraphernick7849 thank you, will do.. ❤️👏👏

[@jivvyjack7723]

Why do you keep saying "kanji" when you are writing chinese characters? Should it not be called "hanzi"? "Kanji" is japanese characters.

[@NoCareBearsGiven]

Kanji and hanzi (漢字) both mean characters of the Han, which means Chinese characters, so they both mean the same thing

[@jivvyjack7723]

@@NoCareBearsGiven This Video is about writing Chinese calligraphy. So at the very least, use Chinese term, not Japanese term.

[@NoCareBearsGiven]

@@jivvyjack7723 the word “kanji” is more recognizable to foreigners, so it doesn’t really matter, they both use the same characters, just different pronounciation.

[@jivvyjack7723]

@@NoCareBearsGiven It matters. Facts, details and accuracy, matters. It is misinformation to continue to use the term "kanji" when the video is about Chinese culture. If the focus is on Japanese culture, then of course we use the Japanese word "kanji". If this is on Korean culture, the we would use the Korean word "hanja". Even though the written forms of all 3 terms are the same. Anyway, my question was to the creator of the video. He might have a good reason to do so; and hopefully it is not "it doesn't matter".

[@NoCareBearsGiven]

@@jivvyjack7723 it’s not different than calling it “Chinese writing” in English or “hangri” in teochewese or “hán tự” it’s all the same word because it comes from the characters 漢字. It’s more than likely that the audience is more familiar with the term “kanji” so it makes sense to use that word, to communicate meaning. It is not “misinformation” since he never claimed this is all Japanese, it’s communicating through language what it is.

[@lilaowai1249]

I like it how you write 'ten' at the end, great stroke work!

[@danpopescu8328]

Thank you very much for your posting and sharing this! GREETINGS FROM ROMANIA WITH LOVE!😊👏👍❤

[@aryanamirhosseini7711]

this was very nice. Im going to try it. Thank you!

[@hannahexclamation]

this was very calming, and I'm so interested in the art. thank you

[@calligraphernick7849]

I’m really pleased that you like it!

[@LISA.WANG.]

Having a really hard time with the vertical stroke as a leftie, still excited to continue learning though 😆😭

[@calligraphernick7849]

takes some practice yah, keep up the good work :) !

[@jefffawver888]

Thank you for sharing this tutorial.

[@45dior]

Great teaching just starting

[@tomaszsadowski1515]

Thank You very much for your tipps.

[@SeenaMusic]

Wonderful - thank you! 🧘🏼‍♀👏

[@OOlympus]

This was awesome! To write with brush is very soothing, calm and revigorating. I think we should drop the pen and use only brushes. :) Much love from Brazil!

[@calligraphernick7849]

Thanks! I’m really glad you enjoyed it, that’s a tempting idea!

[@jssc_san]

Thankyou for this video! Just in time when I need tutorials to start calligraphy,but dunno where to start.❤️🌞

[@calligraphernick7849]

Hey thanks for your comment! I'm more than glad this video helps, it also helps to get a physical copy of the works you like, because some of the half-cooked rice papers can be used as tracing papers. It's a good way to learn the styles and structures.

[@marshajackson343]

I just love my Chinese Writing Kit I bought

[@YetiOTB]

Thank you for this tutorial, really helpful

[@comuniunecuosho-campulbudi7611]

beautiful video

[@BreezerBeej]

This was truly wonderful.

[@calligraphernick7849]

Thank you!

[@nicolekollman]

beautiful background music...

[@ConspiracyPundit]

Got my next class in an hour. My teacher does it slightly different to you. And this is lesson three and still cant get the first stroke lol. I will try and sneak your technique past her. I am out in the burbs of Guangzhou.

[@blu-rae864]

1:20 liquid ink for chinese calligraphy was invented in 1898 by Taguchi Seij. So how far back does this "modern fast trend" thing go? Telegraphs and steamboats?

[@uzraahrar1029]

Thank you sir, that was so helpful .🙏

[@calligraphernick7849]

Hey no problem, glad it was helpful!

[@bigverybigveryverybigveryv9829]

bro, what is the digital brush you used at the beginning? it's sick!

[@johnsharman7614]

Which side of the rice paper do you use to write dull side or shiny side? Thanks for your information and advice 👍

[@mouseandryforever6848]

I love the stone and stick myself.. bottle Ink just isn't the same. If I use bottle Ink I pour it and wait a day until it congeals a bit, and then I add water.

[@mahsaalafar1900]

it is soothing thanks..

[@erikl.1860]

Well explained!

[@kingston9582]

I find this soothing

[@maxonowens6714]

Can you provide where you got your brush/materials?

[@salut828]

That’s great! Very informative

[@calligraphernick7849]

thanks! I'm glad it is

[@Mskaytee]

Very interesting video!! Tyfs 🙏🏽 *SUBSCRIBED* ☺️❤️

[@calligraphernick7849]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for subbing!

[@janewijaya9127]

Hey Nick, could you please post some links where we could buy the materials? Thanks a lot!

[@calligraphernick7849]

Hi Jane, depends on your area, you can pretty much get everything on Etsy, here's a few links for the basic materials: brush: www.etsy.com/listing/775576622/chinese-calligraphy-bamboo-brushes-set?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=bamboo+brush+calligraphy&ref=sr_gallery-1-9&organic_search_click=1&frs=1 ink: www.etsy.com/listing/870442127/yasutomo-calligraphy-sumi-ink-2-oz-black?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=sumi+ink&ref=sr_gallery-1-5&organic_search_click=1&frs=1 paper: www.etsy.com/listing/870557577/yasutomo-acid-free-rice-paper-roll-11-in?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=japanese+rice+paper&ref=sr_gallery-1-4&organic_search_click=1&frs=1

[@F-Cornucopia]

Can you provide the name of the soundtrack? very soothing, helps me concentrate.

[@augustwestusa]

I wonder what you are using under the paper, on top of the table. Is it a kind of felt material? Thank you. Love your video!

[@calligraphernick7849]

Hey! Yes, it is felt indeed

[@nueah]

Do you have an online store that you would recommend to start?

[@calligraphernick7849]

I get most of my material here: www.dickblick.com/search/?q=sumi, they have the basics, you can also check out your local art supply stores, it's better to get them in person if you can.

[@greenpizza2819]

"Relax. You'll get over this as you write." my stupid ahh with trembling hands

[@nueah]

Thank you! This is so helpful.

[@calligraphernick7849]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tinacloud5888]

Can you show it left handed

[@sarahepzebah5270]

Thank you for ur video

[@Jianfa88Tsai]

Type English text and type foreign language type, e.g. “ Text XXX in Mandarin” as instruction to send to robot hand that holds physical calligraphy brush to write in real ink, in any calligraphy style and in any character.

[@brigitatseng]

Very calming

[@Super-Hoops]

I like it :-)

[@calligraphernick7849]

Thanks! I'm glad you like it

[@SpiritPhoenixRose]

Animals are here *with us, not *for us; what the nazis did to Jews, humans do to animals. Would love to use ink sticks if/when I find vegan ones. Thankfully there are cruelty-free inks and synthetic bristle brushes readily available. Thanks for your video though, it was very informative 🙏🏽

[@dhanu2810]

If you still are replying to comments, Can you tell me if the inkstone is absolutely necessary? If it is, where could I purchase one?

[@calligraphernick7849]

hey, ink stones are essential only if you want to use ink sticks to grind ink, otherwise they are kind of ceremonial now, people use white dishes instead sometimes. But since they are designed for kanji calligraphy, it makes sense to get one as they make the process easier. Hope this helps! You can get a basic one here: www.dickblick.com/products/yasutomo-suzuri-grinding-stone/?clickTracking=true&wmcp=pla&wmcid=items&wmckw=20829-0000&gclid=CjwKCAjw_Y_8BRBiEiwA5MCBJqk1uhpGl_urDKJBbLw9sitMFDsqmLsC7QHC3z1sGoB-djTB23Ni_hoCuHgQAvD_BwE

[@dhanu2810]

@@calligraphernick7849 ok tysm for your help!

[@Tyrhonius]

Sorry to be so direct, but this is very substandard writing. The thickness of the vertical strokes lacks consistency--the vertical stroke should subtly thin out as the brush descends, unless it is gathered at the end. The thickness of these strokes vary wildly giving the overall structure a rather frail appearance. Moreover, the middle section of the horizontal stoke should be thinner than the ends (the "slender waist" effect). Here the thickness is varied in a random way. The brush tip also should not leave a trace of itself during the final gathering stroke.

[@harunalrachid7958]

Does your criticism refer to a specific script?

[@surjatjandra3270]

@@harunalrachid7958 the stroke was too thin. The form should be like a bone. Thick in every ends with specific form depends of the script style. The rule of the end form in Kai shu script (楷書) and Li shu script (隸書) are very strick. Only the seal scripts Zhuan Shu (篆書) has a continuous thin line with round end.

[@wanglaoshilondon]

A nice video until in the end the presenter said he would show us how to write a Chinese character of number 10. But what did he write? It's definitely not a Chinese character. The Chinese character of number 10 is 十！ Is he teaching Japanese kanji? No idea.

[@sergeii9607]

Or carple tunnel where its painful to write by hand at all

[@tatao-kh2rs4bj8q]

Good!

[@calligraphernick7849]

Thanks!

is kanji chinese or japanese

[@limedwardster]

For foreigners, using two L 7, to form 口，then try to write 曰 目白 由早 四回西 胃旧申...，then filled up to form 吕,串，石，check handphone software, using voice inputs together。 for 出 ，to write using two u, u and l,to form 出 凹 巾帼 离 山 巨 叵 匠 臣 革If forget use voice input Using ㄣ 乛 or use L to form 与与马写鸟与吗妈 勺 鸟乌鸦呜. ㄣ denote bird leg, or horse, pen .counter check with handphone keyboard Using 氵form it denote water， 洗澡 (shower),河(river), 心(heart), 海(sea), 沙 (sand), 泥(mud),泡 ，江，湖，水(water), 冰( ice ),汤。for foreigner use l,フ,く for 水

[@surjatjandra3270]

@Zhang ShiYing totally agree. His stroke was " 败笔 ".

[@biubiucheeks]

The oldest people on this earth are the one that culture never fades

[@imakerandomvideos27]

this is good but you have to mention to make a tip on the brush. everything else is good

[@shaneblankenship5054]

Thank u

[@limedwardster]

It is a art

[@mist5365]

I edge to ur videos

[@sergeii9607]

Does anyone else have a very shaky hand and finds it impossible to draw straight lines

[@Super-Hoops]

Chinese

[@whoareyou-oh5vy]

It’s not wolf hair but weasel hair

[@darkspel]

Chinese kanji?

[@lionelpolanski1556]

It's Hanzi. The Japanese word "Kanji" comes from the Chinese word "Hanzi" which means Chinese (ethnic Han) characters (Zi) .

[@whoareyou9218]

Hanzi

[@吳思誼-f9z]

Bascie

[@dacueba-games]

- "Chinese calligraphy" - "Kanji" Bruh

[@martinc2944]

Being Chinese it's irksome that Chinese culture has to be wrapped in Japanese in order to be palatable to foreigners.

[@dacueba-games]

@@martinc2944 Never thought of that. What a terrible fate. It's like me as a brazilian pretending to be a mexican

[@NoCareBearsGiven]

Kanji means Chinese characters so it mean the same thing why does it matter? Kanji is just more recognizable to foreigners

[@surjatjandra3270]

@Zhang ShiYing do you mean 那位 instead of 那个 ? 哈哈哈。非常对。

[@Ezkanohra]

''Chinese' calligraphy but he's writing 'kanji'

[@surjatjandra3270]

Kanji is Chinese script. 漢字 read as hanzi in Chinese, kanji in Japanese, and hanja in Korean. 漢字 : 漢 (Han tribe or Chinese). 字 (letter/character). So 漢字 (hanzi / kanji / hanja) means Chinese (Han) character.

[@lionelpolanski1556]

He was writing radicals in Chinese characters. Japanese alphabet “Hiragana” evolved from cursive scripts of Chinese characters, and "Katakana" evolved from regular scripts of Chinese characters, so they look similar.

[@evanlebaron9465]

English is way easier

[@ChandelierDemocraticSino]

ink stone, ink stick, brush, paper and ink

[@글씨나라]

Thank you! This is so helpful!!

[@calligraphernick7849]

Glad it was helpful!