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Fiona Sheng @ InkDifferent Studio

Chinese calligraphy is more than just writing; it is a practice that connects the mind, body, and spirit. Through the careful and deliberate movements of the brush, one can find tranquility, focus, and a deeper connection to the self. In this course, we will not only explore the technical aspects of five major Chinese calligraphy scripts but also delve into the emotional resonance of "相思," a poem that beautifully captures the essence of longing and love.

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Chinese calligraphy is more than just writing; it is a practice that connects the mind, body, and spirit. Through the careful and deliberate movements of the brush, one can find tranquility, focus, and a deeper connection to the self. In this course, we will not only explore the technical aspects of five major Chinese calligraphy scripts but also delve into the emotional resonance of "相思," a poem that beautifully captures the essence of longing and love.

This course will guide you through a profound exploration of Chinese calligraphy, using the timeless poem "相思" (longing) by Wang Wei as the centerpiece of our study. Over the course of 8 modules, you will learn the intricacies of five major Chinese calligraphy scripts, develop a deeper understanding of each character, and discover the tranquility and mindfulness that this ancient art form brings.

Structure

  • Module 1: Introduction to Chinese Calligraphy and '相思'

  • Module 2: The Seal Script (篆书 - Zhuànshū)

  • Module 3: The Clerical Script (隶书 - Lìshū)

  • Module 4: The Regular Script (楷书 - Kǎishū)

  • Module 5: The Running Script (行书 - Xíngshū)

  • Module 6: The Cursive Script (草书 - Cǎoshū)

  • Module 7: Integrating Styles and Personal Expression

  • Module 8: Reflection and Exhibition

Objective

By the end of this course, you will have not only mastered the technical skills of five major Chinese calligraphy scripts but also deepened your understanding of how Chinese calligraphy can convey profound emotions. Through the lens of "相思," you will have explored the tranquility and mindfulness that calligraphy brings, ultimately creating five pieces that are both personal and timeless.

I look forward to guiding you on this journey of artistic and emotional discovery.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Learn about chinese calligraphy via the poem of longing, 相思
  • Learn the origin and how to write every one of the 20 characters in the poem longing
  • Learn to write the entire poem in 5 chinese calligraphy scripts
  • Learn to create complete and presentable calligraphy pieces for each style

Syllabus

Poem Intro & Character Explanation
Seal Script
Clerical Script
Regular Script
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In this lecture you will learn about the general introduction to the Chinese calligraphy.

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Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Exploring the Poem "Longing" (相思) in Five Calligraphy Styles. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete Exploring the Poem "Longing" (相思) in Five Calligraphy Styles will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Calligraphy Artist
A Calligraphy Artist creates original artworks, often specializing in specific scripts or cultural traditions. This path demands both technical mastery and profound artistic expression. This course, "Ink Serenity: Exploring the Poem 'Longing' (相思) in Five Calligraphy Styles," directly equips aspiring artists with the foundational skills and deep understanding necessary for this career. Learners will master five major Chinese calligraphy scripts and explore personal expression, culminating in the creation of complete and presentable pieces for each style, as highlighted in Modules 7 and 8. The detailed study of "相思" provides a unique lens for conveying profound emotions, a hallmark of impactful art. Taking this course helps build the rigorous technical foundation and the ability to imbue work with personal meaning, crucial for a distinguished Calligraphy Artist.
Traditional Artist
A Traditional Artist specializes in artistic practices and forms rooted in established cultural traditions, often requiring deep historical knowledge and mastery of specific techniques. This path values authenticity, cultural resonance, and meticulous craftsmanship. The course "Exploring the Poem 'Longing' (相思) in Five Calligraphy Styles" is a perfect fit for a Traditional Artist aiming to specialize in Chinese calligraphy, one of the most revered traditional art forms. Learners acquire mastery of five major Chinese calligraphy scripts, from the archaic Seal Script to the expressive Cursive Script, and learn to create complete and presentable pieces. The course also emphasizes personal expression through the art form and the emotional depth conveyed by the poem, fostering an artistic voice within a rich tradition.
Cultural Arts Educator
A Cultural Arts Educator designs and delivers instruction in traditional art forms, fostering appreciation and skill development within communities or academic settings. This career requires not just technical proficiency but also a deep understanding of the cultural context and emotional depth behind the art. "Exploring the Poem 'Longing' (相思) in Five Calligraphy Styles" offers an ideal foundation for a Cultural Arts Educator, as it guides learners through the intricacies of five major Chinese calligraphy scripts while delving into the emotional resonance of Wang Wei’s timeless poem. The course objective to learn the origin and how to write every character, coupled with complete piece creation skills, provides practical teaching material and a strong pedagogical approach. This course prepares individuals to share the art form's tranquility and mindfulness effectively.
University Lecturer Chinese Calligraphy
A University Lecturer Chinese Calligraphy teaches the theory, history, and practice of Chinese calligraphy within an academic environment. This demanding role requires not only exceptional artistic skill but also scholarly depth in cultural context and pedagogical ability. "Exploring the Poem 'Longing' (相思) in Five Calligraphy Styles" provides an outstanding foundation for a University Lecturer Chinese Calligraphy. The course equips learners with technical mastery of five major Chinese calligraphy scripts and a profound understanding of the historical and emotional resonance conveyed through the art form, using Wang Wei’s poem "Longing" (相思) as a centerpiece. Detailed instruction on individual characters and creating complete pieces directly supports teaching comprehensive curricula. This career typically requires an advanced degree.
Academic Researcher Chinese Art
An Academic Researcher Chinese Art conducts in-depth scholarly investigations into various facets of Chinese artistic expression, contributing to the broader academic discourse. This role requires meticulous analysis, critical thinking, and often, practical engagement with the art form itself. "Exploring the Poem 'Longing' (相思) in Five Calligraphy Styles" provides an invaluable experiential and intellectual foundation for an Academic Researcher Chinese Art. The course's detailed exploration of five major Chinese calligraphy scripts, alongside the intricate study of the poem "Longing" (相思) and its characters, offers unique insight into the interplay of language, art, and culture. The process of creating complete and presentable pieces fosters a deeper understanding of artistic execution. This career typically requires an advanced degree.
Art Historian East Asian Art
An Art Historian East Asian Art researches, interprets, and communicates the historical development and cultural significance of art from East Asia. This academic career path demands rigorous scholarly inquiry and an intimate understanding of artistic practices and their contexts. "Exploring the Poem 'Longing' (相思) in Five Calligraphy Styles" offers an exceptional foundational experience for an Art Historian East Asian Art. By delving into the origins and techniques of five major Chinese calligraphy scripts and exploring the emotional depth of Wang Wei’s poem "Longing" (相思), learners gain firsthand knowledge of artistic production and cultural symbolism. The course’s emphasis on understanding each character and creating complete pieces directly informs historical analysis. This career typically requires an advanced degree.
Museum Curator Asian Art
A Museum Curator Asian Art is responsible for developing, managing, and interpreting collections of Asian art, often specializing in specific regions or media. This role involves meticulous research, exhibition planning, and public engagement, requiring profound cultural and art historical knowledge. This course, "Exploring the Poem 'Longing' (相思) in Five Calligraphy Styles," provides an exceptional grounding in a critical area of East Asian artistic expression. The detailed study of five major Chinese calligraphy scripts, from Seal to Cursive, and the exploration of the poem "Longing" (相思) and its characters, offers invaluable insight into artistic techniques, aesthetics, and cultural narratives crucial for interpretation and acquisition. This career typically requires an advanced degree, and the focused study of this course helps build specialized expertise.
Cultural Heritage Specialist
A Cultural Heritage Specialist works to identify, protect, and promote cultural heritage sites, traditions, and expressions. This critical role often involves documentation, community engagement, and policy development to ensure the preservation of invaluable cultural assets. Chinese calligraphy is a fundamental and revered aspect of Chinese cultural heritage. "Exploring the Poem 'Longing' (相思) in Five Calligraphy Styles" provides profound insight into this ancient art form, covering its technical intricacies across five major scripts and its deep connection to poetry and philosophy. Understanding how calligraphy connects the mind, body, and spirit, as emphasized in the course, is vital for appreciating its holistic value as heritage. This course helps build specialized knowledge essential for a Cultural Heritage Specialist focused on East Asian traditions.
Art Conservator Cultural Artifacts
An Art Conservator Cultural Artifacts specializes in the preservation and restoration of historic and artistic objects, ensuring their longevity for future generations. This highly skilled profession demands a deep understanding of materials, techniques, and the cultural context of the artifacts being treated. "Exploring the Poem 'Longing' (相思) in Five Calligraphy Styles" offers significant insight into the construction and evolution of Chinese calligraphic works. Learners gain an intimate understanding of the technical aspects of five major calligraphy scripts and the process of creating complete and presentable pieces, including mounting artworks. This knowledge is crucial for understanding original creation processes, which directly informs effective conservation strategies. This career typically requires an advanced degree.
Artisan Craftsperson
An Artisan Craftsperson creates unique, high-quality handmade objects, often employing traditional techniques and materials. This career path celebrates skillful execution, attention to detail, and the creation of bespoke items. "Exploring the Poem 'Longing' (相思) in Five Calligraphy Styles" offers valuable skills for an Artisan Craftsperson specializing in the creation of calligraphic works or integrating calligraphy into other craft forms. Learners achieve mastery of five major Chinese calligraphy scripts, develop a deeper understanding of each character, and learn to create complete and presentable calligraphy pieces. This comprehensive approach, from technical proficiency to the final presentation through mounting, provides the robust practical foundation necessary for producing exquisite, custom-made calligraphic items for discerning clients.
Exhibit Designer Cultural Institutions
An Exhibit Designer Cultural Institutions creates engaging and informative displays to showcase artifacts, artworks, and cultural narratives within museums, galleries, or cultural centers. This role demands creative vision, spatial awareness, and a deep appreciation for the objects being presented. "Exploring the Poem 'Longing' (相思) in Five Calligraphy Styles" offers unique insights beneficial for an Exhibit Designer Cultural Institutions. The course's focus on creating complete and presentable calligraphy pieces for each script, including specific instruction on mounting artworks in the "Mounting & Conclusion" section, directly relates to the practical challenges of displaying delicate and aesthetically rich traditional art. This experience helps build an understanding of how to honor and highlight the beauty and cultural significance of such works.
Fine Art Publisher
A Fine Art Publisher is involved in the creation and distribution of high-quality books, prints, and other materials dedicated to art. This role requires a keen eye for aesthetics, an appreciation for various art forms, and an understanding of the presentation of artistic works. "Exploring the Poem 'Longing' (相思) in Five Calligraphy Styles" may be useful for a Fine Art Publisher by developing a nuanced appreciation for traditional Chinese art. The focus on mastering five major calligraphy scripts and the process of creating and mounting complete pieces provides direct insight into what constitutes publishable quality traditional artwork and how it should be presented. This course cultivates an understanding of the emotional depth and cultural significance that makes art compelling, enhancing judgment in selecting and curating content.
Content Creator Cultural Education
A Content Creator Cultural Education develops engaging and informative materials, such as videos, articles, podcasts, or online courses, to educate the public about various cultural topics. This role requires both subject matter expertise and strong communication skills to make complex information accessible. "Exploring the Poem 'Longing' (相思) in Five Calligraphy Styles" provides an exceptional foundation for a Content Creator Cultural Education focused on East Asian art and culture. The course offers deep knowledge of Chinese calligraphy across five major scripts, the emotional depth of Wang Wei's poem, and the historical context of its characters. This comprehensive understanding, coupled with the ability to create presentable pieces, equips learners to produce compelling and accurate educational content about this ancient art form and its cultural significance.
Creative Director Cultural Branding
A Creative Director Cultural Branding leads the creative vision for brands, particularly those rooted in or drawing inspiration from specific cultural aesthetics and narratives. This role demands a sophisticated understanding of cultural nuances and visual communication to craft authentic brand identities. "Exploring the Poem 'Longing' (相思) in Five Calligraphy Styles" may be useful for a Creative Director Cultural Branding. The course provides a deep immersion into traditional Chinese aesthetics, through the mastery of five major calligraphy scripts and the emotional exploration of a classic poem. This detailed understanding of cultural nuances, artistic expression, and how to create presentable pieces can inform the development of authentic and compelling branding strategies that resonate culturally and visually.
Mindfulness and Wellness Coach
A Mindfulness and Wellness Coach guides individuals in practices and strategies to improve mental, emotional, and physical well being, often incorporating various meditative or self-awareness techniques. This course, "Exploring the Poem 'Longing' (相思) in Five Calligraphy Styles," may be useful for a Mindfulness and Wellness Coach. The course description emphasizes that Chinese calligraphy is "a practice that connects the mind, body, and spirit," and through deliberate movements, "one can find tranquility, focus, and a deeper connection to the self." These intrinsic benefits of the art form are directly aligned with the goals of mindfulness and wellness. This course helps build an understanding of a unique, culturally rich practice that can be integrated or adapted into holistic wellness programs.

Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Exploring the Poem "Longing" (相思) in Five Calligraphy Styles.
This recently published scholarly work provides a deep dive into the complete poetry of Wang Wei, including 'Longing' (相思). It is an essential reference for understanding the emotional resonance and historical context of the poem used as the course's centerpiece. The commentary adds significant depth to the 'Poem Intro' module by explaining the cultural nuances of Tang dynasty verse.
Is frequently used as a textbook in academic institutions and offers a comprehensive introduction to the history and technique of the five scripts. It provides the necessary background knowledge for beginners to understand the evolution from Seal to Cursive script. Its clear instructions on brushwork supplement the technical demonstrations in Modules 2 through 6.
A highly reputable introductory text that covers the aesthetic and cultural significance of Chinese calligraphy. It is an excellent additional reading for students who want to understand the 'Ink Serenity' aspect of the course. The author recognized authority, providing a concise yet authoritative overview of all styles mentioned in the syllabus.
Considered a definitive reference tool in the field, this volume provides exhaustive historical detail on the development of Chinese scripts. While more advanced than a basic guide, it offers the breadth needed for the 'Reflection and Exhibition' module. It is widely respected by both practitioners and art historians globally.
Focuses on the meditative and spiritual practice of calligraphy, aligning perfectly with the course's objective of finding 'tranquility and focus.' It includes technical breakdowns of characters that supplement the 'Material & Preparation' section. It valuable resource for learners interested in the mindfulness aspects of the art form.
While primarily about poetry, this textbook provides the structural and linguistic background of Tang verse like 'Longing.' It helps students understand the tonal patterns and parallelisms that influenced calligraphic composition. It is an authoritative academic reference for the literary portion of the course.
A classic introductory text that has been in print for decades due to its clear explanation of calligraphic aesthetics. It provides excellent background knowledge on the 'Four Treasures of the Study' mentioned in the 'Material & Preparation' section. It staple for any public library's art collection.
David Hinton renowned translator whose work emphasizes the Chan (Zen) Buddhist influence on Wang Wei’s poetry. This perspective is vital for the 'Ink Serenity' and 'mindfulness' themes of the course. It serves as excellent additional reading to enhance the student's emotional connection to the poem.
A foundational academic text that explains the mechanics of Chinese poetry. It helps students understand the 'emotional depth' of Wang Wei's work through a structural lens. adds significant breadth to the course by connecting calligraphy to the broader world of Chinese literary theory.
Focuses on the technical mastery of the brush, which is essential for all five scripts. It provides a detailed analysis of the relationship between calligraphy and painting, helping students in Module 7 with personal expression. It useful reference for mastering the 'deliberate movements' described in the course overview.
Published in 2020, this book offers a modern linguistic perspective on the development of Chinese characters. It provides a contemporary look at script evolution, which is relevant to Modules 2 through 6. It solid academic reference for understanding the phonological and visual history of the poem's characters.
A more recent offering by Tanahashi that continues the exploration of calligraphy as a mindfulness practice. It is particularly useful for the 'Ink Serenity' theme of the course. The book includes exercises that can supplement the student's daily practice during the 8-module journey.

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