In the images that I’ve included thus far ( more will come), I’ve tried to show you the box that contains the four calligraphy/sumi/watercolor brushes, the information on the back, which gives a brief biography of Lee Qiuming, a “Chinese Studies Mertorious Artist” which implies, but not explicitly stated, that these brushes were curated or endorsed by him. Then, there is information about each of the four brushes themselves. Curiously, the brushes are listed as containing goat and wolf hair, but then on the bottom, there is a blanket disclaimer about their commitment to “ethically source squirrel hair, that they love all animals, and that their products are cruelty free”. The company that put this set together is called, “Golden Maple”.
I’ve used Golden Maple products before. In each instance, including this one, their products are beautifully presented, and quite lovely to use. To give you an idea of my own frame of reference here: my first “professional” grade watercolor brushes were Chinese calligraphy/sumi brushes, which I basically wore down to a nub, lol. These Lee Qiuming brushes by Golden Maple are so much more exquisite and fine than those initially bought by me. And here’s the kicker: both sets were roughly in the same price range. But my initial set did not offer the precision of line, or the tightly secured hairs, that these GM brushes do. “Exquisite” really is the best descriptor. These brushes are so sensitive and fine, that I actually had to change them up for other Golden Maple brushes while painting florals. What I mean is that these calligraphy brushes are the pinch hitters for tasks such as precision painting tiny dew drops on the flowers, or lines of fine color, such as the veins in leaves, or the fine lines in portrait painting. But larger brushes are necessary to fill in the bulk of color. They are exactly as advertised, in other words. To go back to the biography of artist Lee Qiuming on the back of the box, there are these words written: “ …calligraphy and painting are the traces of an intellectual’s minds, the brush follows the heart and ink dances to the rhymes of the soul.” This sentiment, in turn, is quite similar to a quote that I heard from an old grand master wood block print carver in Japan, who explained that each calligraphic character, and illustrative form in fact, was comprised of a line that was firm and sure handed, but also a complementary line on the same character that trembled with emotion, ever so slightly. I do believe that these brushes are precision instruments to do just that. I have tried my own hand at Sumi, Kanji, calligraphy, and illumination, and let me tell you: none of these beautiful, disciplined arts are easy. In fact, in my opinion, they can be extremely difficult. Especially when painting on a surface like silk. I do hope to come back and update this review with more images of my attempts to paint with these on silk and rice paper. Until then, I wanted to get my review out expeditiously so that customers would know my opinion while these brushes are priced within the $20-$30 range for all four, which I think is quite reasonable.
