How Many Beds?
6 December 2025 No Comments
How many vises do you need to hold your stones?
My random notes on Chinese-style seal carving.
Talking Seals
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Different Stones Are Different
30 August 2024 No Comments
Some stones are more absorbent than others.
Balin
16 June 2024 No Comments
Balin, a popular stone for seals, has been mined in north China only since 1973.
Shoushan
16 June 2024 No Comments
Shoushan is one of the three most popular forms of stone traditionally used for carving seals.
Qingtian
13 June 2024 No Comments
Qingtian is one of the three most popular varieties of stone used to make seals.
Carving Curving Side Script
1 June 2017 No Comments
It’s hard to cut curves with a seal carving knife.
Seal Handles
1 May 2017 No Comments
Early Chinese bronze seals for official use often had long handles.
Don’t Bruise Your Stone
15 April 2017 No Comments
Most soft stone, like that used for seal carving, can be bruised.
Stampeding Horses
1 April 2017 4 Comments
Someone recently sent pictures of a carving of stampeding horses asking if the stone was shoushan.