The Different Types of Chinese Brushes and Their Uses in Calligraphy
The Chinese brush, or "毛笔" (máo bǐ), is an essential tool in the art of Chinese calligraphy. There are a wide variety of brushes, each suited to specific writing styles. Understanding the different types of brushes and their uses can greatly improve calligraphy practice.
Hairs of the Brush
Wolf Hair Brush (狼毫笔 - Láng Háo Bǐ)
Features: Made from wolf hair, this brush is known for its ability to hold ink and produce clean, precise strokes.
Usage: Ideal for calligraphy styles that require fine lines and fine details, such as the "楷书" (Kǎi Shū) style or the regular style.
Goat Hair Brush (羊毫笔 - Yáng Háo Bǐ)
Features: This brush is made of goat hair and is appreciated for its softness and flexibility.
Usage: Perfect for more fluid and expressive calligraphy styles, such as the "行书" (Xíng Shū) style or the semi-cursive style.
Combination Brush (兼毫笔 - Jiān Háo Bǐ)
Characteristics: This type of brush combines different types of hair, often wolf and goat, to provide versatility in writing.
Usage: Suitable for a variety of styles, providing both precision and fluidity, ideal for calligraphers who like to experiment with different styles.
Rabbit Hair Brush (兔毫笔 - Tù Háo Bǐ)
Features: Made from rabbit hair, this brush is very soft and has great ink absorption capacity.
Usage: Used mainly for very flowing and artistic calligraphy styles, such as the "大楷" (Dà Kǎi) style or the large regular style.
Badger Hair Brush (黄鼠狼毫笔 - Huáng Shǔ Láng Háo Bǐ)
Features: This brush uses badger hair, providing good ink absorption and great flexibility.
Usage: Suitable for calligraphy styles that require smooth transitions between strokes, such as the "草书" (Cǎo Shū) style or cursive style.
Brush Length
Long Brush (长锋 - Cháng Fēng)
Characteristics: Long brushes have a longer tip and are generally used for calligraphy styles that require smooth, continuous strokes.
Usage: Ideal for cursive styles like "草书" (Cǎo Shū), where the strokes are often connected and flowing.
Medium Length Brush (中锋 - Zhōng Fēng)
Features: These brushes have a medium length tip and are versatile.
Usage: Well suited for semi-cursive style "行书" (Xíng Shū) and regular style "楷书" (Kǎi Shū), providing a good balance between precision and fluidity.
Short Brush (短锋 - Duǎn Fēng)
Characteristics: Short brushes have a shorter tip and are stiffer.
Usage: Perfect for styles requiring precise and clean lines, such as the seal style "篆书" (Zhuàn Shū).
Brush Size
Large Regular Style (大楷 - Dà Kǎi)
Length: Approximately 15 to 20 cm.
Diameter: Approximately 2 to 3 cm.
Character Size: Suitable for writing large characters, usually over 5 cm in height.
Usage: Used for calligraphic works requiring broad, bold strokes, often for posters or wall art.
Medium Regular Style (中楷 - Zhōng Kǎi)
Length: Approximately 12 to 15 cm.
Diameter: Approximately 1 to 2 cm.
Character Size: Suitable for writing medium-sized characters, typically between 2 and 5 cm in height.
Usage: Versatile, often used for standard calligraphy work, letters, and formal documents.
Small Regular Style (小楷 - Xiǎo Kǎi)
Length: Approximately 8 to 12 cm.
Diameter: Approximately 0.5 to 1 cm.
Character Size: Suitable for writing small characters, usually less than 2 cm in height.
Usage: Used for delicate and precise calligraphy work, such as inscriptions on cards or small documents.
Choosing the right brush is crucial to mastering the different styles of Chinese calligraphy. Each type of brush has its own characteristics that influence the rendering of strokes and the fluidity of writing. By understanding the specificities of each brush, calligraphers can better express their art and explore the many facets of this ancient practice.
