The Complete Book of Drawing Techniques

THE ORIENTAL BRUSH AND ROUND HEAD
BRUSH

Oriental brushes are traditional brushes
used in Chinese and Japanese drawing and
calligraphy. The brush was traditionally
used by holding it vertically to the paper
and making the marks with free rhythmical
strokes. The control in the mark, and the

varied weight of mark, are achieved by

varying the pressure on the brush. The

amount of ink the brush is holding will also

have an effect on the nature of the mark. As

you can see some brush strokes are strong

in definition and some are more textured -

others are tonally lighter and more

sensitive. In the example shown on page

176, notice the artist’s signature – there is

172

Part Three – PENS, INK, BRUSHES and PAPER

1.