Practice the Art of Calligraphy

Calligraphy, literally “beautiful writing,” has been appreciated as an art form in many different cultures throughout the world, but the stature of calligraphy in Chinese culture is unmatched.

武 - The Character of Warrior

Today we will take a look at the character of 武. It means warrior, military, chivalry, arms, or referring to someone who practices martial art. This character is used in Chinese and Japanese, and they share the same meaning.

final

To practice, remember the basic of writing:

We should always start from top to bottom and then left to right
Focus on the balance of the character and the composition of the whole
Last of all, remember to relax and stay focus on the character you try to write

Step 1

First of all, review the size of the paper you plan to write on. So you should start from top-left of the paper. The stroke always starts from left to right. It should be shorter of 一 character.

step-1

Step 2

The second stroke should be much longer of 一, and as always you should write it from left to right. This 一 character should take up almost the full length of width.

step 2

Step 3

The next is the vertical line connecting from the second stroke you just wrote. Just a short vertical line almost under the first stroke if you try to figure out where to start.

step 3

Step 4

The fourth stroke connects from the third stroke about half of distance to the right. It is a short character of 一.

step 4

Step 5

Another vertical stroke to the left of above vertical line. This vertical line should be shorter.

step 5

Step 6

The next stroke is an interesting one, it is not quite like 一.

step 6

Step 7

The next stroke is the most important one, this stroke brings everything together and it should form the composition of the artwork. This stroke starts all the way from the top, and then you drags the brush all the way to the bottom-right. Finally, you end it by moving upward. This character symbolizes power, strength, and sword.

step 7

Step 8

Finally you end it by write a dot to the top-right.

step 8

Complete

I was given the time and space to create this artwork. I completed it with my two stamps.

final

References:

Digital Art with iPad Pro and Apple Pencil

Miss you Winston (iPad Pro + Apple Pencil)

This is one of those projects I have to complete. The drawing took place when I was visiting Kyoto, Japan. Spending approximately 6 hours in total to complete. The drawing was done in procreate, the iPad version of iOS app. The hardware I used is Apple iPad Pro accompanied by the amazing Apple Pencil. After the drawing was finished, I exported it out as a HD video and then edited it in iMovie. Oh yes music, I borrowed it from the movie soundtrack Furious 7, “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa featured Charlie Puth (No shakuhachi for now, maybe some other drawings).

Miss you Winston. ~ Kyle (28th December, 2015 in Kyoto)

Digital drawing video available on YouTube

Ally and Winston (iPad Pro + Apple Pencil)

Again this drawing was created entirely in procreate iPad app. I particularly like the 6B Pencil brush. It gives me the control I love like how I feel it on the drawing paper. Enjoy.

Digital drawing video available on YouTube

Mother Teresa (iPad Pro + Apple Pencil)

The picture of Mother Teresa was taken while she was reading a book. The drawing was done using Apple iPad Pro and Apple Pencil. It is amazing to be able to play the Japanese bamboo flute shakuhachi. The background music I recorded is Amazing Grace on shakuhachi 1.8.

Digital drawing video available on YouTube

Merry Christmas (iPad Pro + Apple Pencil)

Luckily to have both iPad Pro and Apple Pencil with me during my long-flight to Osaka. So I opened up Procreate to draw the Santa. The new Apple Pencil is just way too cool …

Digital drawing video available on YouTube