Japanese Calligraphy, Shodo, its Chinese Origins and Zen Link

Japanese calligraphy, known as shodo in Japanese language, is the calligraphy brushed in Japanese. As many different art manifestations in Japan, Japanese calligraphy has its beginnings in Chinese calligraphy. For many centuries one of the most praised calligraphers in Japan was Chinese born Wang Xizhi from the 4th century.

However, since the Hiragana and Katakana syllabaries were added to the Japanese writing practice, Japanese calligraphers began to create native Japanese styles of calligraphy.

Different Kinds of Japanese Calligraphy

The classic types are almost the same in Chinese calligraphy as in Japanese calligraphy. They are as follows:

1. Seal Script, tensho in Japanese language, an very old type of calligraphy

2. Regular Script, kaisho in Japanese language, at times called Standard Script in English

3. Clerical Script, reisho in Japanese

4. Semi-Cursive, gyosho  in Japanese

5. Cursive, sosho in Japanese language, at times called Running Script in English

The Four Treasures

The four basic tools you use in traditional Japanese calligraphy are called the 4 Treasures and they are: brush, inkstick, rice paper - also called mulberry paper in the West- and  the inkstone to liquefy the new ink.

Chinese Calligraphy Origins and Outset in Japan

Chinese calligraphy goes back three thousand years, when pictorial representations or pictographs were engraved on bones generally with religious motivations. Eventually, in the Qin reign, the script was systematized as it had became an important tool for governing the Chinese state.

The Chinese way of calligraphy was brought to Japan around AD 600. Since then, in Japan calligraphy has been practiced continuously. It has formed its own ways particularly in the Zen school.

At Present in Japan students learn the art of Japanese calligraphy and it can be practiced in high school or universities along with other art disciplines such as painting or music.

Finally, the emergence of performance calligraphy has made it a popular activity practiced together in clubs by young people. Performance calligraphy has also been introduced to the West and it seems to captivate many people.

Japanese Calligraphy and Zen

Zen has had a remarkable impact in Japanese calligraphy. The most common representation of the Zen school of Japanese calligraphy is the enso circle. The calligrapher depicts the enso circle of enlightenment in one single free-flowing stroke that can’t be modified or corrected.

Japanese Zen calligraphy, the Way of the Brush, is a sort of meditation in action.

Watercolor Painting-- Why You Should Try It

Paintings add up to the charm of homes, workplaces, and business establishments. If you have the ability to paint, you should aim to develop it. Discover more about painting by registering in painting classes or you can look into about it online. Whether you're an adult, teen, or a kid, discovering ways to paint is not that challenging particularly if you put your heart into it. While you're searching for a media to utilize, possibly you may want to try watercolor paintings.

You can express your picked subject matter through making use of watercolors. In reality, there are lots of benefits in using this media over other types of media. It is also a stunning method to convey your feelings through your painting.

Here are a few of the best reasons you must try watercolor painting.

1. It is simple-- as compared with other types of painting, watercolor painting is really simple and you can anticipate better lead to an extremely short time.

Fast-- there are specific strategies that you ought to discover in watercolor painting. This is the beauty of watercolor painting and you can complete your piece in less than an hour and the biggest thing is that you will get gratifying outcomes.

Great for individuals who are always on the go-- if you travel typically, carrying watercolor sets is not a problem. The paper used in watercolor painting can be purchased in blocks so you don't need a lot of space.

4. Does not smear-- as compared to charcoal and pastel, watercolor painting doesn't spot.

5. Dries rapidly-- in numerous minutes, your art piece is already dry. If you utilize oil paints for your painting, it would take days or even weeks prior to the piece dries up completely.

6. Watercolor is also a fluid-- because of its nature, with just a few strokes, you can currently fill big areas.

7. 'Accidents' can contribute to your imagination-- you don't need to fret about mishaps throughout watercolor painting since it can magically become something beautiful. You can even put the watercolor on the paper as you start your painting and see exactly what creates it can develop.

8. Watercolor painting is versatile in look and design-- you can do illustrational works as well as abstract arts. You can experiment in some designs that you have not done prior to and it will all depend upon your skill and creativity.

Because the artist or painter can't control it quickly, professionals state that utilizing watercolor is hard. For beginners, here's a great suggestions-- let the watercolor's magic work. Don't interfere at first and see the styles it can develop and begin painting from there. Allow unlimited expeditions and you can certainly enjoy your imagination for the rest of your life.

As an art lover, you currently understand that in some cases lovely paintings come as mishaps. But this ought to not be the need to stop practicing. If you regularly practice, in time, you will have the ability to control your strokes and develop more special and creative watercolor paintings. Never ever stop learning because by doing so, you can develop more fascinating and artistic ideas that you can use in your paintings.

While you're trying to discover a media to utilize, perhaps you might want to try watercolor paintings.

Quick-- there are certain techniques that you should learn in watercolor painting. The paper utilized in watercolor painting can be purchased in blocks so you do not require a lot of area. 'Accidents' can contribute to your creativity-- you don't have to stress about mishaps during watercolor painting due to the fact that it can amazingly develop into something stunning. If you regularly practice, in time, you will be able to manage your strokes and develop more artistic and distinct watercolor paintings.

My number one tip if you are starting painting? Find yourself great artist paint brushes to set yourself up for maximum enjoyment.

Nowadays you can buy your brushes and other art supplies with next day delivery on the web. For instance, depending where you are, just Google for: peinture huile in France, or pinceles pintura  in Spain. The mediums of the watercolours world have changed little over the years but instant access to affordable supplies, and teaching videos from professionals to help you get started with watercolours, oils and all the other mediums are quickly within reach. 

I hope these watercolor painting pointers have helped. If you ever find yourself getting prevented or frustrated by your development, do not give up. Rather, welcome and learn from your mistakes. It will make you a better painter.

Plus, make sure you register in the best type of watercolor lessons. If you are really interested in the area of watercolor painting, you truly should look for some lessons to take.

paint brushes set

The eagle has landed.

Last year in the national park, some two kilometres from my house, we met an ornithologist. He is employed by the Government and his job is to take care of the birds and insects in this park. He needs to spot them, count them and map them. Several months a year he is daily at work in this national park. With his binoculars and his photocamera. He takes gorgeous pictures and is always willing to explain what he has spotted.

One day we asked him advice about binoculars. Wich one is the best to buy. He patiently explained and answered our questions. He let us look through his professional binoculars and camera. He asked whatfore we want to buy a binoculars and so on.

Well if you want to spot birds you are lucky this year! Do you know that an eagle has landed here in this park? It's very rare, normaly he would not fly over this area. But for some reason he landed here a couple of weeks ago. And because he has an abundacy of food here he decided to stay.

The friendly man explained everthing he knows about the bird and told us some tricks how we could recognize him and when it is the best time of the day you could spot him. We thanked the man and walked on.

Many days when we were walking in this park we have seen the eagle. Sometimes high in sky watching his hunting for food and sometimes when he was resting. Thanks to the good advice of the man we have bought a monocular and we are happy with it. We enjoy the beautiful and sometimes hidden secrets of nature.

Have a nice day, see you next time.
Until then: don't worry, be HAPPY!

Henrice Kupper
http://henricekupper.artweb.com/

drawing