Hobby to train your mind & focus 🖌️🧘🏻♀️😌
Last year, I started picking up chinese calligraphy, because I always found the characters elegant. I signed up through OnePA to attend classes at the CC, after finding out there were so many available programs including sign language (read my prev post for the step-by-step instructions).
It was also much more affordable, $80-$90 for 10 lessons 😳😳 compared to $50/lesson they charge outside. But of course, the class had about 20 people (mostly retirees) so you get less guidance from the teacher - not a concern to me bc you are mostly practising on your own anyways.
I started with 楷书 (kai3 shu1), typically the one for beginners, since it is the style that is the most structured. But my first lesson didn’t start with writing the characters immediately, as I had no experience at all, and began with simple strokes (just the 点). In fact, I took 10 lessons to practise this bc it takes time for you to train your wrist so that it is agile enough for more complex strokes.
After some time, I moved on to learning one character at a time. My teacher guided me patiently, and demonstrated to me each time, which I would video down for future practice. I took lessons from Feb-Oct, before taking a holiday break and as you can tell, I’m still really not good at it 🥲 Likely bc I only practise once a week (outside of class) and my wrist would stiffen up by class time.
𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨:
- wants to train their mind, focus, patience
- interested in chinese, able to read a little?
- able to be self independent
- preferably has time to practise, otherwise you can just enjoy the process and not be too concerned about quick improvements
- wants a cheap long-term hobby
- enjoys a quiet personal time
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭:
1) Chinese calligraphy brush
2) Chinese calligraphy ink
3) Calligraphy paper (宣纸 xuan1 zhi3)
4) Small dish or container for the ink
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Other optional materials:
5) Felt cloth (instead of newspaper)
6) Brush holder/container
7) Paper weight
The essentials can be bought from Artfriend or Bras Basah, the latter with cheaper options. For my textbook, it was handwritten and photocopied by my teacher so I paid an additional $30+ for it.
𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒍𝒂 𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒓: There are different courses offered by OnePA, so the teacher and teaching style may differ. This is just my personal experience!
If anyone is interested to find out more, feel free to comment 😊
#MyFreeTime #ThingsToDo #Hobby #hobbyideas #chinesecalligraphy
If you’re just starting Chinese calligraphy like me, understanding the essential tools is key. You’ll need a good brush, ink, xuan paper, and a small ink container. I found local art stores like Artfriend or Bras Basah quite helpful for sourcing affordable materials. Beyond supplies, regular practice is crucial. Even though I only practiced once a week, the gradual wrist training helped improve my brush control and stroke precision. For those interested in specific characters like 夏 or 石, focusing on the structure and stroke order can make learning manageable. For yoga practitioners or those seeking calm, calligraphy offers a unique way to enhance mindfulness and patience. It combines physical coordination with mental focus, much like a meditation practice. Additionally, if you want to extend your learning outside classes, consider using Chinese calligraphy apps. They provide stroke animations and character breakdowns, which can complement your hands-on practice. From my experience, this hobby suits anyone looking for a cost-effective, long-term pursuit that cultivates tranquility and concentration. It may take time, but the personal growth and quiet joy are truly rewarding.
Don’t mind me asking? How many students per class for course ? I’m thinking to sign up for my parent to kill their times