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An introduction into Chinese calligraphyBy Jenny LeeChinese/ Taiwanese painting artist andgallery owner Boyuan Art House, The Haguewww.boyuan.nl

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Contents1. Introduction of myself and

Boyuan Art House2. Why study calligraphy?3. Different styles of calligraphy4. Examples of calligraphy5. Introduction into materials

used6. How to hold a brush?7. Drawing lines and strokes8. Exercise: drawing lines9. Exercise: writing the character

永10. End

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1. Introduction of myself

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Jenny Lee 李金曼

1963 Geboren in Taipei, Taiwan 1985–1992 Werkzaam als grafisch ontwerpster

en binnenhuisarchitect in Taipei 1994 – 1996 Studie aan prestigieuze Centrale

Kunstacademie in Peking1996 – 1997 Post-doctorale opleiding aan Centrale

Kunstacademie in Peking, afgestudeerd in 1997. 1997 Eindexamen-tentoonstelling in Peking2000 Tentoonstelling in Zorgvlietkerk in Den Haag2004 Tentoonstelling in Almaty (Kazachstan)2008- Woonachtig in Den Haag2010 Opening Boyuan Art House, galerie en

atelier voor hedendaagse Chinese schilderkunst 

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Boyuan Art House 博緣堂Gallery and studio in the centre of The

Hague, specializing in contemporay Chinese painting

Exhibition with works by Jia Youfu, Jia Yundi, Liu Rong, Li Xingjian, and Jenny Lee

Address:Hillebrant Jacobsplein 32515 XS Den HaagTel. 06 12988189, 070 8877677E-mail jenny@boyuan.nl orboyuanarthouse@gmail.com

Boyuan Art House 博緣堂

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Boyuan Art House 博緣堂

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2. Why study Chinese calligraphy?related to the essence of the Chinese

writing systemChinese writing central to Chinese

cultureImportant Chinese art form in its own

rightForms basis for Chinese painting

techniquesForms integral part of Chinese paintingFor peace of mind and concentrationConsidered reflection of character

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Essence of the Chinese writing systemThe structure of Chinese

characters is a special sort of Chinese or oriental fine art inherited from Chinese culture.

Originated from pictogramsChinese writing is a pictorial

scripteach character has its own visual

formOver the centuries, characters

have become stylized, according to esthetic principles

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Originated from pictograms

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Calligraphy as an art formIn essence, calligraphy is an

abstract art. While viewing a Western abstract painting, one does not ask, "What is it?" When viewing Chinese calligraphy, one need not ask, "What is the Chinese word?"

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Calligraphy and painting: a painting by Zhao Mengfu ( 趙孟頫 , 1254–1322)

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Calligraphy and painting: a painting by Jia Youfu 賈又福 (1942 - )

Calligraphy and painting:The barking dog, by Jia Youfu

犬子焉知神仙到，笑它聲聲吠不休“Hoe weet de hond nu dat hij tegen een

onsterfelijke blaft?Zie toch lachwekkend, hoe hij luidkeels en

zonder ophouden blaft.”Dit werk drijft de spot met mensen die

anderen alleen op grond van hun kleren beoordelen, net als de hond die geen verschil ziet tussen een gewoon mens en een onsterfelijke.

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A painting by Jia Youfu

Calligraphy and painting: The hunchback watching a cock’s fight, by Jia Youfu

堪笑世人常如雞，用心爭斗無休息，足食飽復何求，舍命最要名和利

“Het is toch om te lachen: mensen zijn net als hanen.

Met heel hun hart rivaliseren ze met elkaar, zonder ophouden.

Wat jagen ze nog na, als ze genoeg te eten en te drinken hebben?

In hun zucht naar roem en rijkdom zetten ze zelfs hun leven op het spel.” 16

Calligraphy and painting: Plum blossom, by Jenny Lee

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Calligraphy and painting: The farmhouse, by Jenny Lee

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Calligraphy by Zhang Ruitu 張瑞圖 (1570 – 1641)

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Calligraphy by Zhang Zhengyu (1903-1976)

A virile work in which strength is paramount. The character is 山 "mountain".

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3. Different styles of calligraphyFour main styles of calligraphy:篆書 zhuanshu seal script隸書 lishu chancery script草書 caoshu draft script楷書 kaishu regular script

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篆書 zhuanshu seal script

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篆書 zhuanshu seal script

All strokes are of equal and uniform thickness, and end in blunt tips

Corners are roundedThe height of the character

exceeds its width

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隸書 lishu chancery script

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隸書 lishu chancery script

Modulated strokes of varying thickness

Ending sometimes in pointed or jagged ends

Square cornersStress width rather than height

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草書 caoshu draft script

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草書 caoshu draft script

A highly cursive style of writing where even the most complicated characters are reduced to a few dots and scrawls.

A “free” style of painting

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楷書 kaishuregular script

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楷書 kaishuregular script

Standard style of writing and printing

Strokes of varying thicknessWidth and height are

approximately the same

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An imitation of Wang Xianzhi 王獻之 (344–386)

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A letter by Mi Fu ( 米芾 , 1051–1107)

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Calligraphy by Emperor Huizong ( 宋徽宗 趙佶 , 1082–1135)

Calligraphy of Boyuan Art House,by Jia Youfu

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5. Materials used

The Four Treasures of the Study:文房四寶Brush 筆Ink 墨Paper 紙Inkstone 硯

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6. How to hold a brush?

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How to hold a brush?

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7. The eight basic strokes

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8. Exercise: drawing lines

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9. Exercise: writing the character 永(Yong: “for ever”)

10. The end

Boyuan Art HouseGalerie en atelier voor hedendaagse Chinese

kunst, Den Haagwww.boyuan.nl

jenny@boyuan.nl of boyuanarthouse@gmail.com

Tel. 070 8877677, 06 12988189