Don’t Eat It!
15 December 2014 2 Comments
The red color of seal ink comes from the mineral cinnabar, which is then made into the color known as vermillion—and it’s poisonous.
My random notes on Chinese-style seal carving.
Talking Seals
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Not Too Fine
15 October 2014 No Comments
If you sand down your seal stone for any reason don’t use too fine a grit of sandpaper.
Not Too Tight
15 September 2014 No Comments
Unless you’re working on a very hard stone I suggest you wrap your seal stone in a bit of cloth, tissue, or soft leather before you clamp it into your seal vise.
Seal Ruler
15 August 2014 No Comments
Although usually translated into English as a seal ruler (印規 yingui) this tool has nothing to do with taking measurements.
What’s Seal Ink Made Of?
15 May 2014 2 Comments
Seal ink is a mixture of (commonly) red pigment mixed with oil and bound together with fibers—usually silk or plant fiber.
Repairing a Seal Knife
15 February 2014 No Comments
If your seal knife blade gets chipped, the traditional method to repair it is to have a piece of sandpaper handy.
Two Toothbrushes Are Better Than One
15 December 2013 No Comments
Most seal carvers keep an old toothbrush handy for use in sweeping stone dust out of the grooves while they carve a seal.