Method of using the wrist

Method of using the Besides the fingers, one must use the wrist and elbow to write Chinese characters. The wrist is crucial and must be used with agility. You use the wrist to manipulate the tip of the brush. The four positions of the wrist are: rest, cushion, lift and suspend.

Rest the wrist of your right hand on the table. This will enable you to use your fingers well. Employ this method when you are writing very small characters-as small as the head of a fly, the Chinese say.

Cushion the wrist of your right hand. Usually you cushion it with your left thumb or your left wrist. This lifts your right wrist. This method is very often used for writing ordinary small characters.

Lift your right wrist from the table. Some people also call it suspending the wrist. It is used to write medium-sized characters.

The last position is to suspend both the wrist and the elbow. Neither touches the table. This method is used to write big characters.

These four wrist positions are only relative. If you intend to raise your calligraphy to the level of art, you must practice the suspended-wrist position from the very beginning. Would-be calligraphers must not be afraid of difficulty. They must acquire this basic skill.

Raised wrist method.

Suspended wrist method.