Chinese writing brush is a traditional writing tool and has gradually developed into a traditional painting tool as well. The writing brush originated in the Neolithic Age of China, but the earliest real brush we found was in a tomb of the Warring States Period which was about 2500 years ago. Chinese writing brushes are generally made of animals’ hair and bamboo.
Three tipical brushes
Speaking for materials, there are three tipical brushes that widely used in Chinese calligraphy and painting, wool brushes, yellow weasel hair brushes and mixed brushes.
Wool brushes 羊毫yángháo
The most common wool brushes are made from the goat’s or yellow sheep’s beard or tail hairs, which are quite soft. The earliest Wool brushes started before the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-589 ).
But because Chinese people consider powerful as the most important thing in Calligraphy, and wool brushes are too soft, that’s why Chinese ancient calligraphers rarely used wool brushes. Some modern calligraphers like to use it , but it is not recommended for beginners. Wool brushes are mostly used for painting softer things, such as flowers and leaves.4
Yellow weasel hair brushes 狼毫lángháo
Yellow weasel hair brushes can be traced back to the Jin Dynasty (266-420AD). The weasel’s hairs are hard and flexible. It’s often used in writing calligraphy or hard lines in Chinese paintings, like rocks and trees.
Mixed brushes 兼毫jiānháo
Mixed brushes are a mixture of hard hairs and soft hairs, normally with yellow weasel hairs inside and wool outside. Mixed brushes are neutral brushes, which have a good texture for beginners.
What brushes are appropriate for beginners?
Mixed brushes are a mixture of hard hairs and soft hairs, normally with yellow weasel hairs inside and wool outside. Mixed brushes are neutral brushes, which have a good texture for beginners.
Texture
Yellow weasel hair brushes are more appropriate for beginners, since they are hard and easy to control. And then gradually change to mixed brushes and wool brushes. We should try different brushes to feel the different textures of soft and hard.
Price
Beginners shouldn’t use very expensive brushes, normally a brush with 1 dollar to 5 dollars is good enough for practicing. This is because we shouldn’t rely on brushes too much, instead we should focus on practicing skills. If we start with a good brush, it will be very difficult for us to switch to bad brushes. On the contrary, if we use a bad brush at the beginning, good brushes will be supportive in the future.
Size
Normally we divide Chinese writing brushes into three sizes: big, middle and small. However there is no certain scale for each of this size, the size can be different in different producers and styles. I would suggest beginners to use brushes with 3cm to 5cm hairs.
How to choose a good brush?
Theoretically speaking, a good brush should include four characteristics: sharp, flat, round and stretchy. “Sharp” means that the tip of the brush should be sharp when hairs come together. “Flat” means that after the brush tip is smoothed, the tip should be even. It’s not easy to check, because the hairs are glued together in a new brush. “Round” means that the middle of the brush is well-rounded. “Health” means the brush should be flexible, which can quickly return to its original state after bent. In reality, I will just suggest you to try the brush. Many brush sellers will allow you to try the new brush with water, but it would be better if you can try with ink, though not a lot of sellers would like to offer you this service.
How to choose a good brush?
(1) A new Chinese writing brush was glued. We’ll need to soak it in warm water until it’s separated out. But don’t soak the connection between the brush and the bamboo, otherwise hairs may drop because the glue was dissolved.
(2) Wet the brush with clean water every time before we start to write. Just put the brush in water for one or two seconds, then dry the brush with tissues and get ink. Wipe the brush on the edge of the ink container until the ink in brush is appropriate for writing. We’ll need to practice and then look for the balance between brush, ink, paper and writing speed.
(3) Wash the brush every time after we use it. Then dry it with tissue and sharp the hairs with your fingers. Hang it with the bamboo part on the top and brush part at the bottom, so that the brush can be dried naturally. We should avoid to dry the brush with brush part on the top and bamboo part at the bottom, otherwise the water will drop into the bamboo and destroy brushes with moist. In addition, a used brush shouldn’t be covered again with the plastic.
Chinese culture exploration
-- brush made of new-born baby’s hairs
Chinese brush made of new-born baby’s hairs is a traditional way of making writing brush, which Chinese parents believe will bring their children happiness and good luck.
It’s originate from an old story. Long time ago, a poor man would go to Beijing for an important exam, if he can past the exam, he’ll get a good job in the government. But his family was so poor that they couldn’t even afford to buy him a writing brush. What could he do? His mother, a brilliant women, made a writing brush for him with his hairs as new-born baby. Finally he won the first place in his exam and got the good job. That’s why brushes made of new-born baby’s hairs are also called champion brushes, which Chinese people believe can bring children good luck.
A set would be a good choice for beginners
Corciosy Chinese Calligraphy Brushes Gift Set,Professional Sumi Water Writing, Painting Set for Beginners.
Artecho Chinese Calligraphy Brushes Gift, Calligraphy Sumi Brush, Chinese Brushes Set 10 Pcs for Beginners
