Heart of the Brush

Author: Kazuaki Tanahashi
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
ISBN: 1611801346
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 401

Book Description
Its history, techniques, aesthetics, and philosophy—with an in-depth practical guide to understanding and drawing 150 characters A guide to the history and enjoyment of Chinese and Japanese calligraphy that offers the possibility of appreciating it in a hands-on way—with step-by-step instructions for brushing 150 classic characters. This book is a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the history and art of calligraphy as it's been practiced for centuries in China, Japan, and elsewhere in Asia. It works as a guide for the beginner hoping to develop an appreciation for Asian calligraphy, for the person who wants to give calligraphy-creation a try, as well as for the expert or afficionado who just wants to browse through and exult in lovely examples. It covers the history and development of the art, then the author invites the reader to give it a try. The heart of the book, called "Master Samples and Study," presents 150 characters--from "action" to "zen"--each in a two-page spread. On each verso page the character is presented in three different styles, each one chosen for its beauty and identified by artist when possible. The character's meaning, pronunciation (in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese), etymology, the pictograph from which it evolved, and other notes of interest are included. At the bottom of the page the stroke order is shown: the sequence of brush movements, numbered in their traditional order. On each facing recto page is Kaz's own interpretation of the character, full page.

Brush Mind

Author: Kazuaki Tanahashi
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781439254905
Category : Aesthetics
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
"A humorous book on Zen brushwork and calligraphy. Brush Mind provides insights into the philosophy of art with a collection of writings with only a few simple words. Every other page in the main section of this book shows an imaginative one-stroke painting created in monochrome."--Amazon.com

Shodo

Author: Shozo Sato
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
ISBN: 1462911889
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 185

Book Description
In this beautiful and extraordinary zen calligraphy book, Shozo Sato, an internationally recognized master of traditional Zen arts, teaches the art of Japanese calligraphy through the power and wisdom of Zen poetry. Single-line Zen Buddhist koan aphorisms, or zengo, are one of the most common subjects for the traditional Japanese brush calligraphy known as shodo. Regarded as one of the key disciplines in fostering the focused, meditative state of mind so essential to Zen, shodo calligraphy is practiced regularly by all students of Zen Buddhism in Japan. After providing a brief history of Japanese calligraphy and its close relationship with the teachings of Zen Buddhism, Sato explains the basic supplies and fundamental brushstroke skills that you'll need. He goes on to present thirty zengo, each featuring: An example by a skilled Zen monk or master calligrapher An explanation of the individual characters and the Zen koan as a whole Step-by-step instructions on how to paint the phrase in a number of styles (Kaisho, Gyosho, Sosho) A stunning volume on the intersection of Japanese aesthetics and Zen Buddhist thought, Shodo: The Quiet Art of Japanese Zen Calligraphy guides beginning and advanced students alike to a deeper understanding of the unique brush painting art form of shodo calligraphy. Shodo calligraphy topics include: The Art of Kanji The Four Treasures of Shodo Ideogram Zengo Students of Shodo

A Brush of Darkness

Author: Allison Pang
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1439198411
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 372

Book Description
Dive into A Brush of Darkness, the first book in the Abby Sinclair trilogy. The man of her dreams might be the cause of her nightmares. Six months ago, Abby Sinclair was struggling to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Now, she has an enchanted iPod, a miniature unicorn living in her underwear drawer, and a magical marketplace to manage. But despite her growing knowledge of the OtherWorld, Abby isn’t at all prepared for Brystion, the dark, mysterious, and sexy-as- sin incubus searching for his sister, convinced Abby has the key to the succubus’s whereabouts. Abby has enough problems without having this seductive shape-shifter literally invade her dreams to get information. But when her Faery boss and some of her friends vanish, as well, Abby and Brystion must form an uneasy alliance. As she is sucked deeper and deeper into this perilous world of faeries, angels, and daemons, Abby realizes her life is in as much danger as her heart—and there’s no one she can trust to save her.

Painting Peace

Author: Kazuaki Tanahashi
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
ISBN: 1611805430
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 242

Book Description
A revered modern artist and Zen teacher offers an inspirational account of how his art has been the expression of a life of social activism. “Awakening,” says Kazuaki Tanahashi, “is to realize the infinite value of each moment of your own life as well as of other beings, then to continue to act accordingly.” This book is the record of a life spent acting accordingly: Through his prose, poetry, letters, lyrics, and art, Tanahashi provides an inspirational account of a what it’s been like to work for peace and justice, from his childhood in Japan to the present day. Included are fascinating vignettes of the seminal figures who refined his views--among them Daniel Ellsberg, Gary Snyder, Mayumi Oda, and Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido--as well as striking examples of the art he has so famously used to bear witness to the infinite value of life.

Delight in One Thousand Characters

Author: Susan O'Leary
Publisher: Shambhala Publications
ISBN: 0834844389
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 194

Book Description
A beautifully curated presentation of the Thousand Character Essay, a masterpiece of Chinese calligraphy that has served as the art form's classic manual for over 1,400 years. Sung to infants as a lullaby, used to teach reading and writing, and employed as library index codes, the Thousand Character Essay is China's most widely used and beloved calligraphy textbook. Composed by the literary giant Zhou Xingsi and handwritten by sixth-century Buddhist monk Zhiyong, this masterful work has endured for centuries as the standard guide for brush writing both in formal and cursive scripts. Delight in One Thousand Characters brings this sublime body of art-as-text to English-speaking readers through its translation and explanation by calligraphers and artists Kazuaki Tanahashi and Susan O'Leary. Preserving the renowned beauty of monk Zhiyong's only extant handwriting, the book visually depicts the traditional script through extensive imagery, including a full, one-hundred-strip edition of Zhiyong's calligraphy. All images also have corresponding commentary explaining the meaning of each character. Essays and appendices by Tanahashi and O'Leary detail the fascinating history, geographic range, and aesthetic nuance of the essay and of Zhiyong's rendering--essential material to be familiar with the history, thought, literature, and art of East Asian civilization. For calligraphers, Delight in One Thousand Characters can serve as an advanced primer for practicing both formal and cursive Chinese calligraphy.

Mr. Gauguin's Heart

Author: Marie-Danielle Croteau
Publisher: Tundra Books (NY)
ISBN: 0887768245
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 26

Book Description
Retells the story of how the painter Paul Gauguin learned to paint after his father's death of a heart attack during the family's move to Peru.

Conversations with the Brush: Wisdom Tales from the Intuitive Painting Heart

Author: Chris Zydel
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781736328408
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 170

Book Description
Learn about the process of intuitive painting and the expressive arts as a method to cultivate joyful creative freedom and authenticity through stories as conversations, journal prompts and intuitive painting principles and practices.

Brush Pen Lettering

Author: Grace Song
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1612436897
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 242

Book Description
Create beautiful hand lettering with the first book dedicated entirely to the use and mastery of modern brush pens. Drawing gorgeous letters, words and phrases with a brush pen doesn’t have to be difficult! Brush Pen Lettering will show you how to create your own unique style. To help you on your lettering journey, this comprehensive how-to guide includes: • DIY projects • Tips and Tricks • Color Photographs • Inspiring Ideas • Step-by-step instructions • Practice exercises

Brush of the Gods

Author: Lenore Look
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade
ISBN: 0375870016
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 41

Book Description
This gorgeous picture book biography, according to Kirkus Reviews in a starred review, is "a cheerful introduction not only to Wu Daozi, but to the power of inspiration." Who wants to learn calligraphy when your brush is meant for so much more? Wu Daozi (689-758), known as China's greatest painter and alive during the T'ang Dynasty, is the subject of this stunning picture book. When an old monk attempts to teach young Daozi about the ancient art of calligraphy, his brush doesn't want to cooperate. Instead of characters, Daozi's brush drips dancing peonies and flying Buddhas! Soon others are admiring his unbelievable creations on walls around the city, and one day his art comes to life! Little has been written about Daozi, but Look and So masterfully introduce the artist to children.