A few bristles at the end of a stick – what a difference they can make to life! Brushes play a major role in art all over the world, bringing a song to the dullest canvas. And none does it better than the Chinese brush.
Elegant and versatile, the Chinese brush started as a writing tool. From rudimentary letters grew the highly stylized and intricate Chinese Calligraphy. The bamboo and orchid of the calligraphy further evolved to form the basis of Chinese brush painting.
The Chinese brush is usually made of animal hair and bamboo, with several different models depending on the subject as well as the strokes desired. Black inks made from pine soot and animal glue, and colored inks with vegetable or mineral bases are used to paint on silk or rice paper. Paintings in the past were usually not framed but scrolled and hung or stored.
Subjects chosen are usually based on nature, with the approach being representational rather than realistic. A particular emotion or mood is sought to catch the "rhythm" of nature. The artist is allowed complete license in matters of composition and expression. The use of blank space as an element of composition is a well-developed technique of Chinese brush painters; this whimsy helps emphasize other elements of composition and expression with great finesse.
Paintings usually include an inscription and a seal, which in themselves could be finely crafted works of art.
Early Chinese calligraphers and artists were held in great esteem and reverence. The Chinese aristocracy saw Brush Art as a mystical pursuit of mind and spirit, enriching mundane life and enhancing the noblest principles and ideals of Chinese culture.
Today we can rediscover this Art.
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