I am looking for someone to teach me Chinese calligraphy, the kind using a brush. I can’t speak any Chinese, so I would need someone with at least a little English ability. I would consider giving English lessons in exchange. Please leave any info you have here…thanks!
I know someone…post your mobile number and I will pass it on
Thanks goober. I have already found a caligraphy class in my neighbourhood. Thanks for the reponse, anyways!
I don’t understand why anyone would want to learn how to do calligraphy if they don’t understand Chinese. If you can’t read Chinese, or know what each radical means when the words are put together, why would you want to learn Calligraphy? It’s like a Chinese person who can’t read, write or speak English going to England to learn how to write Old English. Sounds nuts, right?
Anyway, I know this person already started, but I suggest that if anyone else out there is interested in Chinese, learn the way kids here learn. First, BPMF, then reading, then writing, then calligraphy.
[Hey, don’t be so prejudiced. Calligraphy is a fusion of poetry (the spoken word) and painting (the visual manifestation of it). But it’s also a pure visual and graphic art form that can be divorced from it’s other prosaic meanings. Besides it helped me learn Chinese ]Originally posted by Eye Opener:
I don’t understand why anyone would want to learn how to do calligraphy if they don’t understand Chinese. If you can’t read Chinese, or know what each radical means when the words are put together, why would you want to learn Calligraphy? It’s like a Chinese person who can’t read, write or speak English going to England to learn how to write Old English. Sounds nuts, right?
Anyway, I know this person already started, but I suggest that if anyone else out there is interested in Chinese, learn the way kids here learn. First, BPMF, then reading, then writing, then calligraphy.
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Hey, i’m a native Mandarin speaker, and i was born here.
I remember i was firstly taught Calligraphy in the 3rd year in elementry school, and we had to practice it when we were at that age.
It’s very hard to write beautiful and accurate calligraphy. Even most of us can not understand it completely.
There are many tricks and we must think a lot to do that. Of course, we can learn many things in that, like patience, the grippings, the strokes, and more understanding of Chinese language and characters.
Yes, it’s good to learn that, but be sure you have enough knowledge about Chinese characters. If not, i think the calligraphy would become some wierd combination of radicals. I MEAN IT.
Learning Chinese Calligraphy is a great way to improve your penmenship! I never had a teacher but I did learn to hold a bush properly and watched a lot of skillful calligraphers work.
All those long hours pouring over practicing on tracing paper paid off! My characters look really good and I’m proud to write chinese! I am a bit of an addict but I guess thats the way you have to be when you’re learning something new. Dedication goes a long way!
I would really like to get back into it. Are there classes for adults (esp. foreigners) to learn calligraphy? A lot of people mentioned teachers or tutors. If you know of a place or a person, could you PM or post some info. Thanks!
Chinese Culture University Mandarin Teaching Centre (on He Ping Dong Lu section 2) do calligraphy classes at lunchtime. Not sure of any more details.
I wouldn’t be able to do a daytime class but would be more than open to evenings. If enough people are interested in learning calligraphy perhaps we can get a class going with a Lao Gong Gong (Old Grandpa), once a week.
Rose
I’ve just started studying Mandarin. I enjoy writing the characters and would like to find private lessons in calligraphy, ideally from someone who knows a little English. I could offer English lessons in return, or pay. Does anyone know of a suitable teacher in Taipei city?
thanks in advance.
Simon
There is a private calligraphy tutor with a shop front on the south side of Heping East Road close to the junction with Wenzhou Street. No idea whether he/she can speak English or what he/she charges.
When I wanted to study Chinese painting I had an former pupil who was then attending Shida post an online ad for me on one of the university boards. He specified that I wanted someone who could speak English.
I found a student who was in her last year studying to become a elementary school art teacher. She knew how to present and explain painting skills and techniques very well.
I would recommend her but she disappeared after a few lessons. :s
In any case, it might work for you. Another option is to post an ad at one of the Mandarin language schools like TLI.
Does anyone know if there are any Chinese calligraphy classes in Taipei that are taught in English? My partner who I dragged over here doesn’t know any Chinese nor is he really interested in learning it. He does, however, have a very strong interest in learning Chinese calligraphy and experiencing the whole zen practice of it. I guess since so much is visual there doesn’t need to be that much English involved, but I know that all Chinese settings can sometimes be intimidating for him.
Thanks for any suggestions!