Youth friends, in their pursuit of calligraphy, in addition to the essential "Four Treasures of the Study" (inkstick, inkstone, brush, and paper), there's one indispensable writing tool: the felt pen.
Felt is made by bonding wool. When writing, felt primarily serves two purposes. First, when using xuan paper or rough-edged paper, placing a felt pad underneath can absorb excess ink, allowing the paper to move freely during writing without worrying about the work being stained by the ink below. Second, if the ink does not leak downward, it will all be absorbed by the paper, resulting in a more saturated ink color on the paper. Writing on a table with felt not only feels very comfortable and elastic but also aids in the expression of calligraphy.
When selecting felts, it is recommended to choose pure wool, as only unfatted pure wool products will not be stained by ink. Opt for felts that are tightly and finely woven; overly loose or coarse felts can damage xuan paper. Additionally, when using felts, care should be taken to handle them gently, as carelessly applying ink can damage the felt. Since felts should ideally not be washed, washing them can cause the fibers to become loose and uneven.
