Introduction to Chinese Calligraphy Chinese characters evolved from pictures and signs, and the Chinese art of calligraphy developed naturally from its unique writing system. Through the ages, great calligraphers developed representative calligraphic styles of their times. The love of calligraphy is deeply ingrained in Chinese scholars, and has been handed down to the present day. Characteristics of the class Conducted in English, the class targets non-mandarin-speaking students. It teaches everything, from meaning and evolution of the characters, culture to history and music of the period. You don’t have to be able to write Chinese already, just have to be enthusiastic and be willing to hold a brush. Course outline Language: Chinese with English interpretation Materials: Rice paper (xuan paper), bamboo brush with animal hair, and ink & water colour Lesson One: Four Treasures of a Chinese Scholar 1. The relationship between Chinese Calligraphy & Chinese traditional culture 2. Understand the beauty of Chinese Calligraphy through practicing 3. Learn to select and use the Four Treasures (brush, ink, paper, and ink stone) 4. Create individual calligraphy work Lesson Two: Character evolution & Oracle Script 1. Ancient Chinese Calligraphy & its Evolution 2. Brief history of Chinese character evolution 3. Appreciate & practice Oracle script (script on turtle shell or bone) 4. Create your own personal stone seal Lesson Three: Jin script and Music of Sets of Bells 1. Introduction to Jin script ( dà zhuàn , 大篆 ) and its history 2. Appreciate the music of the instrument biān zhōng ( 編鐘 , a set of bells hung on the rack) 3. Try writing Jin Script 4. Create individual works. Lesson Four : Qin Dynasty and xiao zhuan Script 1. Introduction to Qin Dynasty 2. xiǎo zhuàn ( 小篆 ) script 3. Create individual works Lesson Five : Li Script on Bamboo Slips and Music of xun 1. Introduction to Han Dynasty - spring-up time of Confucianism 2. Appreciation and Practicing Li Style character (lì shū, 隶書 ) on Bamboo Slips 3. Savor the Music of xūn ( 塤 ) - 6000 years old musical instrument (small gourd-like pottery with holes) 4. Create individual calligraphy work on bamboo slips. Lesson Six Li Script on Stone Steles & Han Dynasty Songs 1. The introduction to Han Dynasty 2. Appreciate and practice Li Style character on stone steles 3. Appreciate a few songs from Han Dynasty - 2000 years ago 4. Create individual calligraphy work Lesson Seven Kai Script & Tang Dynasty Music 1. Brief introduction to Tang Dynasty 2. Ka i script (k ǎi shū , 楷書 , the modern regular script) and 8 principles of writing the Kai script 3. Appreciating some pieces of Tang Dynasty Music 4. Create individual calligraphy work Lesson Eight Composition of a complete calligraphic work 1. Composition of a calligraphic work on different shapes of paper: square; horizontal scroll, vertical couplets and oval paper fans. 2. Composition of supplements: signature, date, seal, etc. 3. Participants create personal complete calligraphic works. Duration: 8 lessons per term, 1 hour and 30 minutes per lesson Once a week Course Fees
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