How to Choose a Chinese Calligraphy Brush: A Complete Guide for Beginners

Choosing the right calligraphy brush is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a beginner. A high-quality brush can transform your practice, while a poor one will frustrate you and make learning unnecessarily difficult. Choose a Chinese Calligraphy Brush with care, and your practice will flourish. In this guide, I'll walk you through the key factors to consider when selecting your first brush.

Understanding Brush Types

Chinese calligraphy brushes fall into three main categories based on their hair composition:

1. Soft Hair Brushes (羊毫筆)

• Made from: Goat, sheep, or rabbit hair

• Characteristics: Soft, flexible, absorb a lot of ink

• Best for: Large characters, expressive brush work, beginners wanting smooth strokes

• Drawback: Less control over stroke details; harder to maintain precision

  
  

2. Hard Hair Brushes (狼毫筆)

• Made from: Weasel, rabbit, or mountain horse hair

• Characteristics: Stiff, springy, excellent control

• Best for: Small, detailed characters; professionals who need precision

• Drawback: Requires more wrist strength and experience to control properly

  
  

3. Mixed Hair Brushes (兼毫筆)

• Made from: Combination of soft and hard hair (e.g., 70% hard, 30% soft)

• Characteristics: Balanced elasticity and ink absorption

• Best for: Beginners – offers the best of both worlds

• Why it's ideal: Provides enough control for detailed work while maintaining flexibility for expressive strokes

  
  

Recommendation for beginners: Choose a mixed-hair brush as your first brush. This will give you the best learning experience.

The Four Virtues of a Good Brush (筆有四德)

When evaluating a brush, look for these four essential qualities:

1. Sharpness (尖 - Jian)

• The tip should come to a fine, pointed end like an awl

• When wet, the tip should not have notches or divots

• This allows you to write fine, detailed lines

  
  

2. Roundness (圓 - Yuan)

• The body of the brush should be full and plump, not thin or concave

• When rotated 360 degrees, the tip should remain centered

• This ensures balanced ink flow and control

  
  

3. Evenness (齊 - Qi)

• When the hairs are pressed flat, all hairs should have the same length

• No individual hairs should stick out beyond others

• This creates uniform, clean strokes

  
  

4. Strength/Resilience (健 - Jian)

• The brush should be solid and firm, not hollow or fragile

• The hairs should spring back immediately after pressure is released

• A good brush should not deform easily when used

  
  

How to test strength: Gently squeeze the root (base) of the brush hairs. If you can easily compress it, the brush doesn't have enough hair and will wear out quickly.

Brush Size: Finding the Right Fit

Brush sizes vary widely, and choosing the right one depends on the character size you want to write:

Character Size	Brush Size	Recommended For
2–5 cm	Small	Detailed characters, seal script, beginners learning control
6–8 cm	Medium	Regular practice, most common use
9–11 cm+	Large	Large expressive characters, less suitable for beginners

Beginner tip: Start with a small to medium-sized mixed-hair brush. It's easier to control and will help you develop proper technique before moving to larger formats.

Hair Length Considerations

Regular Brushes (Normal Length)

• Easier to control

• Better for beginners and everyday practice

• Ideal for developing fundamental technique

  
  

Long-Hair Brushes (長鋒筆)

• Longer hair allows for flowing, expressive strokes

• Harder to control and requires wrist strength

• Better suited for advanced practitioners

  
  

For beginners: Stick with regular-length brushes until you've developed solid control.

Brush Handle Materials

The handle affects both control and durability:

• Bamboo: Most common, lightweight, ideal for precise control

• Ceramic or porcelain: Heavier, more elegant, less easy to control

• Horn or specialty wood: Premium options, but overkill for beginners

  
  

For beginners: Choose a straight bamboo handle. Check it carefully from multiple angles to ensure it's perfectly straight—this is crucial for proper calligraphy technique.

Popular Brush Recommendations for Beginners

Budget-Friendly Options

• Red Star brushes: Affordable, decent quality for practice

• Pre-made beginner sets: Often include multiple brushes for exploring different styles

  
  

Mid-Range Quality

• Mixed-hair brushes from reputable brands: Balance of price and quality

• Sets labeled "beginner" or "student": Usually carefully selected for learning

  
  

Higher Quality (Worth the Investment)

• Li Fushou brushes: One of the top brands in China

• Brushes from Taiwan or Japan: Often superior craftsmanship

• Artist-grade mixed-hair brushes: Better longevity and control

  
  

Testing a Brush Before Buying

If possible, test the brush before purchasing:

1. Visual Inspection: Look for the Four Virtues—is the tip sharp? Is the body round and full?

2. Squeeze Test: Gently press the root of the hair. It should resist compression.

3. Water Test: If allowed, dip it in water and check how the hairs form a point.

4. Ask About the Maker: Reputable sellers know their brushes and can tell you about hair types and quality.

   
   

Preparing a New Brush

When you receive a new brush, it comes with starch glue protecting the hairs:

1. Rinse gently under lukewarm water until all glue is removed

2. Separate the hairs gently with your fingers if needed

3. Squeeze out excess water carefully

4. Allow it to air-dry hanging tip-down before first use

Important: Don't remove all glue—leave some at the base to help the hairs stay together.

What NOT to Do When Choosing

❌ Don't buy the cheapest brush you can find—poor quality will hinder your learning

❌ Don't choose based on aesthetics alone—appearance doesn't determine quality

❌ Don't skip testing if possible—take time to feel the brush

❌ Don't buy synthetic brushes for traditional calligraphy—they don't behave like natural hair brushes

❌ Don't assume all imported brushes are good—many are mass-produced for tourists

Final Recommendation

For your first brush, invest in a quality mixed-hair brush in small or medium size from a reputable seller. You don't need to spend a fortune, but spending a bit more on a good brush is worth it. A proper brush will help you progress faster and avoid the frustration of fighting with inferior tools.

Remember: With a good brush, you improve through practice. With a bad brush, you only improve by buying a better one.

Ready to start your calligraphy journey? Choose your brush wisely, and your first strokes will set you on the path to mastery.