The evidence of early use of brushes can be traced back to

1045 BC. There are three different sizes of brush, large, middle and small for different sizes of character writing. The material of brushes can come from different animal hair. They are categorized in three kinds according to their softness: soft, mixed and hard.

Brushes are easy to care. For the first time use, immerse brushes in lukewarm water until the hair is soft. Gently wash off ink after use and put on caps.

The earliest inksticks were developed in Han Dynasty and were made from natural material. Modern inksticks are mostly made of stoots from different sources. The stoots are first collected, and during the manufacturing process, glue is added. The mixture then is pressed into stick shape and allowed to dry. High quality inkstick are not only a good tool for writing, but a keepsake for calligraphers or artists. They generally are decrated with gold painting or writing. A good stick should be smooth to touch and have a cripy sound when used with inkstone. Recent insticks are not in stick shape but in a form of liquid for easy carrying and less mess.

Paper was one of the greatest inventions in the Chinese history. The production of paper was first developed around 100 AD. Different methods of production have been discovered over the centuries. Before paper was invented, ancient Chinese people used bamboo or silk for writing. The highest quality of paper was found in Xuan city in An Hui province. The paper made in Xuan city is known as Xuān zhǐ (宣纸) , means Xuan paper. The finest paper should be soft and smooth when touched, but firm and absorbent when used.

Inkstone is used with water to grind the inkstick to a thick liquid ink. The earliest discovery dated back to Han Dynasty. In Tang Dynasty, calligraphers valued the quality of the stones, and the production of inkstone reached it's prime time. Stones were carefully selected from different regions of the nation, and the stones were decorated with painting. The shapes of the stones vary. Mostly they are oval, round, squre or rectangular. Some come with a lid, some don't. During Tang Dynasty, new styles rather than those shapes were formed. A small well for water can be found in all inkstone. Serious scholars will pay a lot of attention to the water they use to produce the ideal ink to work.