Calligraphy: It's not as easy as it looks

[shodo]

Japanese calligraphy as well as Chinese calligraphy is not just about putting down strokes on paper...

Some things that separate "good" from "bad":

- balance + composition
- line quality
・ strokes should in areas be bold, thin, dark, and light
・ In general NO "BLAND" STROKES ← this is crucial...

Here is a gallery of some of my pieces for those interested in seeing some pretty "good" calligraphy, or at least I think it's pretty good: 書Calligraphyofjapan道

[komitsuki]

Calligraphy (also writing in western fountain pens) is very hard because the center of gravity to make a mark is on your hand and fingers. This is very opposite from writing beautifully in ballpoint pen and pencils.

I have learn calligraphy when I was a kid and forgot most of how I write them. The younger you are exposed to practicing calligraphy, the better you've become if you keep practicing.

[Scoob94P]

They are beautiful, I remember when I was younger I practiced calligraphy (with English letters like this: http://image.linotype.com/samples/text/257097.gif

but sometimes even like this: http://www.militarysabers.com/images...lish-large.jpg )

But it really hurt my wrist and took a lot of work to get even reasonably good at it. I could imagine with kanji it would be even harder, some of them look incredibly intricate!

[shodo]

I do not have any experience when it comes to that sort of calligraphy but I would imagine it is extremely difficult to master. The practice needed for such art would be tremendous, I think. Any experience with Japanese calligraphy?

[komitsuki]

Originally Posted by shodo

Any experience with Japanese calligraphy?

There is no huge difference between Japanese and Chinese calligraphy if you think about it. Anybody who is used to practice Chinese or Japanese styles can practice calligraphy in Korean alphabets without too much hassle.

[nobora]

I think that as long as you practice and put your all in your calligraphy it'll come out beautiful.

[shodo]

Originally Posted by komitsuki

There is no huge difference between Japanese and Chinese calligraphy if you think about it.

Very true. There is definitely a very strong connection between the two.

[shodo]

Originally Posted by nobora

I think that as long as you practice and put your all in your calligraphy it'll come out beautiful.

Yes, Practice is crucial when it comes to calligraphy. And after loads of practice, I sometimes feel that the thing most important is to follow your instincts rather than think too much before every stroke.

[komitsuki]

Originally Posted by shodo

Very true. There is definitely a very strong connection between the two.

Three, actually: calligraphy in China, Korea, and Japan have a strong affinity among themselves.

It's like this traditional arts: you need to know Korean traditional art to understand Japanese traditional arts; vice versa. There is a huge common ground between them. But then, you REALLY need to understand Chinese traditional art to understand Korean and Japanese traditional art; vice versa.

If you want to get the gist of traditional art, don't focus on a tiny limited region; think bigger to understand things bigger.

[shodo]

Originally Posted by komitsuki

If you want to get the gist of traditional art, don't focus on a tiny limited region; think bigger to understand things bigger.

In a way, art has almost always been a series of worldwide influences/connections. Ukiyo-e (Japanese prints) if I remember correctly, had a great influence on Van Gogh and his art.