Translation guide
Describes the technique, style, or quality of strokes made with a brush, especially in East Asian calligraphy and painting. The focus is on how the brush is handled to create lines, shapes, and expressive effects.
The manner of using a brush to create strokes in calligraphy or ink painting, emphasizing skill, style, or method.
The most common and direct term for brush handling or brushwork technique. Used in both calligraphy and painting contexts.
His brushwork is very delicate.
Practice brushwork.
Refers to the movement or handling of the brush, often used in formal or instructional contexts for calligraphy.
Learn the basics of brushwork.
Brush technique or style, often referring to a specific method or school of brushwork.
This calligrapher has a unique brushwork style.
Skillful handling of the brush, often implying dexterity and fluidity. More colloquial than 筆遣い.
His brushwork is superb.
The visual character of brush strokes, such as boldness, fineness, or expressiveness, often evaluated aesthetically.
The touch or style of brush strokes, focusing on the artistic quality. Common in art criticism.
The brushwork in this painting is powerful.
Paint flowers with delicate brushwork.
The vigor or energy of brush strokes, often used to describe dynamic brushwork.
Literally 'brush traces', referring to the visible marks left by the brush, often used to identify a calligrapher's hand.
Brushwork in oil or acrylic painting, referring to the visible texture and direction of brush strokes.
The standard term for brushstroke or brushwork in Western-style painting, emphasizing texture and touch.
Van Gogh's brushwork is distinctive.
This painting has rough brushwork.
A common phrase meaning 'brush touch', often used in casual art talk.
The brushwork is soft, isn't it?
筆遣い (fudezukai) focuses on the physical handling and technique of the brush. 筆致 (hitchi) emphasizes the artistic style and quality of the strokes. 筆触 (hisshoku) is specifically for the texture of strokes in Western painting. Choose based on whether you mean technique, style, or texture.
It's a work where you can feel the brushwork energy.
筆跡から作者がわかる。
You can tell the artist from the brushwork.