Huizhou ink is one of the Four Treasures of the Study — both a tool for painting and calligraphy, and an object of aesthetic appreciation. When selecting Huizhou ink, start by understanding its varieties.
Types of Painting and Calligraphy Ink
1. Oil-Soot Ink (Youyan). Deep black with a glossy sheen, this ink does not bleed on paper and never fades over time. It is the finest choice for calligraphy and painting, and also the most expensive.
2. Pine-Soot Ink (Songyan). Dark but with little gloss, this ink has a loose texture that grinds easily and dissolves quickly in water. It is commonly used for painting but generally not recommended for calligraphy practice.
3. Oil-Pine Blend Ink (Yousongyan). Made from a mixture of oil-soot and pine-soot, it is suitable for writing and somewhat less used for painting.
4. Five-Color Ink (Wucaimo). Refined from five mineral pigments — red, yellow, blue, green, and white — it is a premium-grade Chinese painting pigment that also holds collectible value.
Other Huizhou Ink Types
There are also medicinal ink, made from eight precious Chinese herbs and five types of animal gall, valued for therapeutic effects, and ornamental ink, prized by tourists and collectors for its elegant design, fine shape, and exquisite packaging.
Selection Criteria
1. Look. Examine the ink stick for smoothness and fine texture. Check for cracks, deformation, or defects, and see if the painted decoration is even and lustrous.
2. Smell. The fragrance should be pure and pleasant.
3. Listen. Tap the ink stick lightly with a finger — the sound should be crisp and clear.
4. Weigh. Hold the ink stick in your hand to judge whether it feels solid and dense.