Japanese calligraphy is a very restrictive form of art. The artist is constrained by the shape of the Japanese kanji characters.
However, within these tight restraints there is opportunity for freedom and expression.
The kanji characters can be written in different styles, with different ink types and colours, different colours and textures of paper, etc.
As regards character style, there is a choice of the thickness of the ink, how much ink is on the brush, how “connected” the strokes are, whether or not the lines are “flowing” or “staccato”, and whether or not all lines are written or some omitted.
Each change can have an effect on the overall mood of the artwork, and is something that the artist considers carefully before starting a piece.
Below are 2 of my artworks, both depicting the Buddhist phrase 無心 mu-shin (“no-mind”).
The top artwork is available to my Patrons as a desktop background to download.
The artwork below is available to purchase on my Etsy site.
WordPress users get 15% off this artwork (and any other) with this code: WPCODE15
Calligraphy by Vicky 