I have always been interested in calligraphy, and wanted to learn how to write my name in Hanzi (Chinese lettering). While traveling in Yangshuo, China, I had an opportunity to take a calligraphy class. I have (at least I think I have) fairly nice handwriting so I thought this class would be a walk in the park. I was wrong.
We went to Mr Young's studio to take our class. He was an awesome teacher, and was very patient when I got frustrated and on the verge of giving up. He first taught us how to hold our calligraphy brush, and how to dip our brushes into the ink pot. This is an art in itself.
We first learned how to write the numbers. Mr Young did this so that we could learn how to draw the basic strokes. Once we graduated from the numbers, Mr Young wrote our names on our calligraphy sheets. We then made every attempt to replicate his writing.
I tried to white out that bottom bit, but thought a mustache would be a better alternative. What do you think?
At the top of the sheet is Mr Young's version of my name, and the bottom portion is mine. It was pretty difficult, and it gave me a greater appreciation of anyone that knows how to write in Chinese.
The biggest plus of taking this class was that later in the evening while shopping the Yangshuo markets I decided to get a hand carved calligraphy stamp of my name. I was able to proof check the artists work to make sure he wasn't ripping me off by writing a different name!
Date Accomplished: March 22nd 2011
4 comments:
I studied Chinese in College, so I did a lot of calligraphy classes. Loved it!
Sounds like hard work, but fun! Reminds me of when i did my pottery class and sucked at it! Makes you appreciate how hard something is when it looks not too bad in the first place!xx
I'm sure it takes A LOT of practice! I lack patience for stuff like this!
Yeah, some people make it look too easy! I used a pottery wheel once and it was not as easy as Demi Moore made it look like in Ghost!
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