Chinese Brushwork in Calligraphy and Painting: Its History, Aesthetics, and Techniques (Dover Fine Art, History of Art)

Kwo Da-Wei, with his book, Chinese Brushwork in Calligraphy and Painting,has come to my aid in learning the use of brush, ink, paper in the Chinese fashion. Though I've taken Chinese brushwork classes, I find Mr. Kwo's one-on-one instruction extremely beneficial as a Westerner to whom Chinese brushwork isn't natural as it is for those schooled early on from childhood. My intention is not to even try to master calligraphy or any of the iconic Chinese art; my intention in studying Mr. Kwo's book is to help me attain more fluidity in my watercolors in particular, and in my art in general. I find the exquisite flow of the ink or paint from my brush exciting and he helps me to understand how to execute the use of the brush in various styles that I can apply to my Western watercolor, to continue that excitement.Mr. Kwo also gives an historical overview of Chinese brushwork and art for the understanding of the Western student. Like a magician breaking down the mysteries of his craft, he's given me the basics; now with practice, I`ll be able to bring those applications to my work. He covers the fundamentals of brushwork: moisture, pressure, speed, angles and applications of the brush, body movement, even holding the brush. Also, he explains the aesthetic components of form, line, space-consciousness and composition. I'm glad I found Mr. Kwo's very valuable book.

This was so helpful to me in understanding the art of Chinese brushwork and calligraphy. it opened a portal to understand many new concepts. Explained easily for the beginner. Really , this was a helpful book. Gloria Orenstein

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A 1981 publication purely covering brush styles and techniques from the root through the centuries. Haven't come across another yet like it. Includes a front section on taoism & confucian thought which I hadn't bargained for but it could be an interesting read.This is not a visual book, rather a historical and descriptive/ instructional walk through the evolution of brush technique in China first for calligraphy then as a natural progression, ink painting. The two are seen as sharing common root principles and techniques - instructional and "illustrative".The prints are VERY limited and VERY poorly reproduced. But the coverage on brush techniques make up for it.

explains clearly all strokes

This is a very useful and interesting book - text and illustrations. Unfortunately the glue holding it together has failed, the pages are falling out one by one.

Great product, excellent service!

The book is surely written by a scholar. Lots of links, footnotes, historical facts: just great. Maybe it's not as good for learning how to paint, but it's the best I could find to understand the context of the Chinese painting.

I have about 20 books on Chinese Brush painting and have been seeking one that clearly describes (and illustrates) how to make the brush strokes. This book does it! Would highly recommend it. Yes there is a lot of information on the development of Chinese Brush Painting but the section on the brush strokes makes it all worthwhile.

Si te interesa la pintura china, bien sea como simple espectador o bien porque te gusta pintar a la acuarela o al propio estilo chino, es un libro muy bueno: muy útil para aprender a apreciar los secretos de ese arte y muy intersante para aplicar las ideas y conceptos, y parte de las técnicas de esa manera de entender la pintura a tus propios trabajos.Está escrito en un inglés relativamente sencillo, y las ilustraciones, tanto de pintura como de caligrafía son muy ilustrativas, aunque, eso sí, son todas en blanco y negro, y de calidad de imagen bastante mediocre. O sea, más para leer, reflexionar y aprender que para disfrutar con reproducciones de obras de arte de pintura (y caligrafía) china. Está claro que el autor es a su vez un artista bastante bueno, con un criterio muy fino.En conjunto, muy recomendable

This book helped me with my degree work, insightful book, gives you more of an understanding into chinese culture.

Just what my Grandson needed for his Manderin Studys, VG value great service.