Product Description: Calligraphy enthusiasts can expand their horizons and augment their repertory of scripts with this detailed excursion into the method of creating beautifully inscribed Chinese characters. Organized into sections, this book presents Chinese characters that embrace a diversity of themes, including peace, happiness, love, long life, and many others. Each of 300 characters is presented with an explanation of its meaning and a note on how it is pronounced. Clear, step-by-step directions show beginning students exactly how to render the series of strokes which, when combined, create each elegant Chinese character. The author lists all necessary tools and materials, which include different kinds of paper, brushes and brush stands, paperweights, ink sticks, and ink stones. A chapter titled “Gallery of Chinese Calligraphy” presents many examples of traditional and contemporary Chinese calligraphic art from a variety of renowned artists. A glossary defines all items and terms that are cited in the book.
Not a 'bible' Calling this a 'bible' is far too much.
The first 30 pages provide the standard brief review of history and equipment like all the calligraphy books. The remaining of the book serves as a character dictionary with stroke orders indicated. But who needs a dictionary of 300 characters with a single usage example of each of them? A real character dictionary covers thousands of characters with lots of usage examples.
The hand-written model characters here are somewhat larger than in many actual dictionaries. Unfortunately, it doesn't add much value since the models are not representative enough for brush-work reference.
Gets you going in the right direction This is a beautiful book for beginning and intermediate Chinese calligraphy practice. Each character is given stroke by stroke, and there are many helpful hints about the best execution of the strokes. The information is quite good on materials (brushes, papers, inks, inkstones, etc), their proper use, and suppliers. There is even a section at the end about how to paint bamboo and some flowers. The spiral binding is covered by the book's spine, which is nice, because on the bookshelf the spine shows a title, unlike many other spiral-bound books. And the spiral binding allows the book to lay open flat as you practice your characters. I had no idea, though, that it would take so much practice time for one simple stroke to look like it's supposed to. You will definitely develop patience and discipline if you are a Westerner serious about wanting to learn Chinese calligraphy. I haven't seen a better book to get you started, and many of the characters you can learn here are inspirational, like the characters for "Love," "Peace," "Friendship," and so on. When you get good at them, you can make beautiful things to hang on your walls or give to friends. The book shows you the proper method of mounting your work for display. Later, when your brushwork is more refined and you know the order of the strokes, you can look for a more comprehensive book of Chinese characters if you want to write longer, more complex thoughts.
Misleading title The most interesting part of this book is Chapter one: Getting started, which gives information on supplies. The characters themselves are written in the author's semi-cursive and highly personal style. They are not always legible, at least for the beginner who buys this book. I can't say I find her style very attractive. A printed version of the characters should have been included. A clearer, much more legible and informative list of characters can be found in "Reading and writing Chinese", by William McNaughton and Li Ying. Stroke order is also included. I don't recommend this book.
So, you want to be a doofus... So, you want to be a doofus...? Well, this book is for you. I do not know how many goofs have asked me for Chinese characters that could be tattooed all over their body, guaranteeing them minimum wage jobs without benefits for their entire lives. Never mind that it is nearly impossible for anyone not fluent in the written language to put together a meaningful phrase that is not total gibberish...or worse! Luckily, most folks who are fluent in Chinese are too polite to laugh in their face. So, you don't want a tattoo? This is also a good reference book for calligraphers who merely wish to brighten up an invitation or thank you or for a student to add a bit of dash to a Chinese culture poster. Also, a good acquisition for public libraries. Folks who enjoy abusing their skin may also enjoy "Gothic and Old English Alphabets: 100 Complete Fonts" by Dan X. Solo.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
