The Calligraphy Lesson

Teaching the friend premise is a little corny...but this is the solution I've come up with so far.

Preface: 7 pages + 1 photograph (maybe), 1500-2000 words

The Setup: 500-700 words

content: 3-4 pp diagrams + text

• I am teaching a friend (Krista) calligraphy, she doesn’t read, write or speak Chinese
  
• I bring over brushes, ink, paper and prepare references: the character 永 (yong), a book - The 84 Laws, a dictionary, a landscape painting and a calligraphy scroll
  
• Introduce Chinese written language
  

Part 1: 1 blank page + 永 (yong), 300-500 words

content: 6-8 pp + diagrams

• I explain that 永 (yong) is composed of 8 basic strokes in Chinese writing
  
• Krista learns how to hold a brush, brush movement, the stroke order
  
• Her first attempts are unsuccessful and I show her where the problem areas are
  
• I ask her to consider the relationship between strokes and paper
  

Part 1.1: 1 blank page + cover of The 84 Laws, 500-750 words

content: 25 pp diagrams + text

• I introduce Li Shun and his 84 laws (diagrams)
  
• Krista is curious why Li Shun and her are both copying other’s work
  
• I explain the common belief that old works are reservoirs of knowledge and personal style is a synthesis of older works (essay)

Part 1.2: 1 blank page + cover of Calligraphy Dictionary

content: 60 pp diagrams + text

• I show Krista the same character 花 (flower) written in many different ways (from dictionary)
  
• Phrases written and arranged in variation
  
• 花 (flower) written in 5 styles, stroke order, line and shape
  
• Timeline
  
• Essay on the history of calligraphy and the five major styles (in essay)
  
• 5 styles all differ rhythmically & in time of execution
  

Part 2: 1 blank page + Countless Peaks and Vales, 2000-2500 words

content: 20 pp diagrams + text

• Essay on Countless Peaks and Vales and brush painting
  
• Diagram analysis of painting
  
• 势 (shi) as it operates in calligraphy (balance of shapes and strokes)
  
• Essay on Fenellosa’s Chinese Written Character as Medium for Poetry
  

Part 2.1: 1 blank page + quote on dynamism, 500-750 words

content: 10 pp diagrams + text

• Diagrams showing rhythm
  
• Diagram showing interaction between brush and paper
  
• Diagrams showing calligraphy written with small brush
  
• Diagrams showing calligraphy written with large brush 
  
• Essay on collapse of time and space in calligraphy
  

Part 2.2: 2 page spread + fold-out page of calligraphy

Part 3: End of Lesson, 500 words

• Review to today’s lesson: tools, methods, dynamics, sensation of hand moving in space and collapse of time and space
  
• Krista has more questions (still working on that) and I promise to answer them during our next lesson
  

Epilogue: Lessons I’ve learned, 500-750 words

• My trip to Lan Ting
• Calligraphy is hard, due diligence is the only way one improves
  
• Culturally important: Chinese identify with the craft, calligraphy equals value
  
• Socially important: Positive reputation associated with calligraphers
  
• Calligraphy is practiced throughout Asia, but is now receiving attention from the West
  
• I’m not sure what exactly keeps me practicing, maybe it’s because of the community of people that practicing, a way of connecting to my roots, or that it’s something I can just work on without having the pressure of ever finishing, in any case I’ll continue practicing