For Brushes (Chinese & Western)
Unstick the Hair: For a new brush, gently roll and loosen the hairs between moistened fingres to remove any starch or glue.
Wet Thoroughly: Rinse the entire head in clean, room-temperature water.
Shape the Tip: Gently press the brush against the side of your water container or a clean ceramic dish to remove excess water and shape it to a fine point. Do not use your ink stone for this.
Load with Ink: Dip the brush into your prepared ink, coating about 1/2 to 2/3 of the hair. Rotate gently against the side of the inkwell to chape it to a point and remove excess ink that would cause a drip.
Final Checklist Before Your First Stroke
Paper: Secure flat, with guidelines visible.
Ink: Prepared to the correct consistency in an inkwell.
Tool: Clean, shaped, and properly loaded with ink.
Workspace: Organized, with a clena cloth for wiping tools, water available, and your posture set.
Midset: Take a deep breath. Preparation is the first act of the Art.
By investing time in this preparation, you set the stage for control, learning, and beautiful strokes. Happy writing Chinese calligraphy.
