Detailed Explanation of Calligraphy Tool System

1. Core Writing Tools

1. Writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone
   • Brush :
     • Material classification : goat hair (soft hair, suitable for seal script), wolf hair (hard hair, suitable for regular script), mixed hair (both soft and hard, the first choice for beginners), purple hair (good elasticity, specializing in small regular script);
     • Maintenance tools : pen curtain (for easy carrying and dust prevention), pen holder (for hanging to dry to prevent mildew).
   • ink :
     • Ink : Ink recommended for beginners (moderate colloid, smooth writing);
     • Ink stick : Pine soot ink has a steady color, while lampblack ink has a delicate luster, both suitable for small calligraphy creation.
   • Paper :
     • Xuan paper : strong water absorption, rich ink rhyme, suitable for cursive and freehand calligraphy;
     • Xuan paper : processed with alum water to resist ink seepage, essential for neat small calligraphy;
     • Rough paper : made of bamboo fiber, cheap and durable, the first choice for daily practice.
   • Inkstone :
     • She Inkstone : Good ink storage capacity, and when ground with ink sticks, the ink color will show more layers;
     • Alternatives : ceramic plates, Duan stone inkstones (highly practical and easy to clean).

2. Auxiliary tool system

1. Creative assistance

   • seal :
     • Seal : engraved with name and studio name, stamped on the lower right corner of the work, made of Qingtian stone or Shoushan stone;
     • Casual seals : engraved with poems and aphorisms, often used as introductions or supplements to highlight the author's interests.
   • Ink paste : Cinnabar ink paste has a rich color, and there is also antique cinnabar color to meet the needs of different styles.
   • Paperweight : A metal or stone weight used to secure paper and prevent it from shifting. Common paperweights are in the shape of lions or auspicious animals.

2. Environment Configuration Class

   • Felt : spread on the table surface, absorbs ink and prevents stains, and prevents rice paper from sticking to the table surface;
   • Pen wash : a ceramic or copper container used to clean the residual ink from the pen;
   • Ink test paper : use discarded rice paper scraps to test the ink color and the state of the brush tip.

3. Advanced tool application

• Specialty paper : batik paper (texture decoration), antique letter paper (vertical grid lines), to enhance the visual expression of the work;
• Mounting materials : silk and rice paper for base, used for framing works or making hand scrolls.

Summarize

The calligraphy tool system is centered around the "Four Treasures of the Study," supplemented by seals, paperweights and other accessories to create a complete creative ecosystem. Beginners should start with a mixed-hair brush and rough-edged paper, and gradually expand to raw rice paper creation and seal stamping; professional calligraphers need to use special paper to deepen their artistic expression. The selection of tools is actually an external extension of techniques and aesthetic concepts.