Hourly Rates for Dallas Chinese Calligraphy & Painting Events

(www.art-virtue.com)    (About Chinese Calligrapher-Painter Joshua)    (德藝書法網首頁)       

1000+ pictures and videos: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1116910302340031/media/albums

Joshua Hough ArtsAndVirtue@MSN.com 

To refer this website to friends, an easy way to remember is just Google "Dallas Chinese calligraphy." 


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Total cost = ( Hourly rate x Hours ) + Applicable extra mileage charge + Applicable supplies

An event located 20 miles from the intersection of I-635 & Central Expressway 75 will be subject to an "Extra Mileage Charge" of $5 per mile.

Minimum booking is two hours. A 1.5-hour booking is counted as 2 hours.

Setup time 20 - 25 minutes First hour Second hour and so on
(up to 6 hours)
Grace period up to 15 minutes
No charge
Cleaning time 20 to 25 minutes
No charge Hourly rate Hourly rate Prorated hourly rate beyond 15 minutes
No charge


Event organizer needs to provide:  

2 tables + 2 chairs in a very bright area (for optimal output of quality and quantity)

Payment of hourly rate ( 5% discount via PayPal )

The event organizer will receive a gift of his/her name written on a hanging scroll.



Basic Chinese calligraphy services:


MenuSupplies

Amazon & Temu search keywords: Chinese calligraphy paper, Chinese calligraphy cardstock, Chinese calligraphy blank scrolls, etc.
Service Descriptions

The audience will receive free Chinese calligraphy written for either short phrases or first names if the event organizer has paid the hourly rate.
Samples

Calligraphy 1: Paper and ink included

$200 per hour

(Most popular selection)


All included.

You don't need to purchase anything.
Each Chinese character's size should not be larger than 8"x 8".

Joshua will provide a mixture of red paper, fancy paper *, and bookmarks and let the guests select their preferred paper.

* = While supplies last in my inventory

Red paper, bookmarks always available

If a guest requests the name / phrase to be written on a scroll, s/he will pay the cost of the scroll (typically $15 to $70). Writing is free. 




1000+ pictures at www.facebook.com  

Calligraphy 2: Paper and ink NOT included

$160 per hour


You need to purchase paper from Amazon or Temu before the event.

Please handle the paper carefully and do not create wrinkles or additional folds. Chinese calligraphy paper is extremely soft and fragile!
Each Chinese character's size should not be larger than 8"x 8".

Since calligraphy written on scrolls has a higher value, the number of your purchased scrolls to be used per hour is limited to two scrolls for this option.

If you wish to have most of the calligraphy done on hanging scrolls, please choose the premium service "Executives package."

Calligraphy 3: Bookmarks only If bookmarks are provided by Joshua, $170 per hour.

If you purchase your bookmarks, $140 per hour.

Many varieties of Chinese calligraphy bookmarks from Amazon and Temu.


Calligraphy 4a: Mixture of bookmarks, specialty paper, and fancy paper.  If supplies are provided by Joshua, $220 per hour.

If you purchase your supplies, $170 per hour.
No scrolls in this option since calligraphy written on scrolls has higher value for collection. 

Please inquire if you are interested in purchasing a bulk of scrolls with Chinese calligraphy written on them.





Calligraphy 5: Names & short phrases in gold

$250 per hour


All included.

You don't need to purchase anything.

Gold pigment on "10,000 Years Red" Chinese calligraphy paper for your names and/or short phrases. 

Usually, this service is not written on blank scrolls or regular red paper due to compatibility of pigment and mounted paper.










Type of paper
In Chinese, backing = mounting = to stick another sheet of backing paper under the calligraphy paper to reduce wrinkles and to protect the artwork.
Samples Where to buy
Red paper - soft, easy to wrinkle, no backing






White paper  - soft, easy to wrinkle, no backing.

When using a Chinese calligraphy brush and black ink, pure white paper is not used for writing only names. A respectful calligrapher should be concerned with the Asian cultural norms. Pure white paper is not used for new year celebrations.

If the white paper used to write a name is mounted with other color margins or borders, has decorations, or a scroll, it will be acceptable. 




Compassion

Premounted scrolls (Blank scrolls) - Ready to hang, no mounting necessary - Less likely to have wrinkles.


Paper margin - inexpensive

Silk brocade margin - more expensive



 The margins look like silk but are made of paper.

The margins are made of silk brocade. 

Written scrolls using premounted scrolls - Ready to hang, no mounting necessary - Highest collection values







Cardstock mounted paper - 100% wrinkle-free




Shikishi board - Thicker than cardstock mounted paper - Mounted, 100% wrinkle-free





Specialty paper (Fancy paper) - soft, easy to wrinkle, no backing. Not mounted. 




Varieties of fancy paper on Temu. They come and go extremely quickly.
Bookmarks - 100% wrinkle-free


















Value-added services:

If your event is located within 5 miles from Park & Coit, Plano, or if you are looking for a competent student from my Chinese calligraphy classes at a discount rate, please inquire.

My classroom is located near Ohio and Legacy in the Deerfield community. You are welcome to stop by for tea and discussion on Sunday afternoons.




Only for your spare time...

Comparison of prices, writing speeds, artistic qualities & output quantities, paper and scrolls used, etc.


Joshua Hough's websites Comparison websites
YouTube and writing speed (i.e., quantity) www.youtube.com/user/artvirtue
  
www.youtube.com/user/TruthLongevity

The maximum quantity I can write per hour is about 35 to 40 Chinese characters. 

Beyond that, you will not be pleased by my artistic quality.

I do care about my artistic reputation and your satisfaction.                   

I can achieve about 10 English names translated and written in Chinese calligraphy per hour, or 10 to 12 pieces of names and short phrases mixed per hour.


To figure out the estimated number of Chinese characters for each English word or name, please use http://translate.google.com/ .




If the guests enter the following on the sign-in sheets:

English names translated "phonetically": Katie ( 凱蒂 ), Joshua ( 約書亞), Karen ( 凱倫), Christopher ( 克里士多福 ), Jane ( )

Each Chinese character is for each pronunciation of a sound: Ka-tie, Jo-shu-a, Ka-ren, Chr-i-s-to-pher, Jane

Short phrases or words: love ( ), peace ( 和平 ), joy ( 喜樂 ), healthy ( 健康 ), respect ( 尊敬 ), longevity ( ), 
live laugh love ( 活笑愛 ), philosophy ( 哲學 ), humor ( 幽默 )...

If you input the Chinese characters, a free generator at https://web.ygsf.com/#/home?VNK=d871360f will generate the calligraphy for you.






A good way to understand the average writing speeds of a Chinese brush vs a pencil or a pen:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=chinese+calligraphy 









Most native Chinese, whether they practice Chinese calligraphy or not, can very easily tell
at first glance if a piece of Chinese calligraphy was written carelessly or if the Chinese calligrapher
was being rushed. A native Chinese may dislike or criticize a rushed piece of calligraphy even if it looks beautiful to a non-native Chinese.
Facebook groups https://www.facebook.com/chinese.calligraphy.3/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1116910302340031/media/albums 

https://www.facebook.com/search/groups/?q=Chinese%20calligraphy 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/126441007370754 

Etsy 
https://www.etsy.com/search?q=Chinese%20calligraphy&ref=search_bar

I like this one 
https://www.etsy.com/shop/LynxXiaoStudio?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=790072218&from_page=listing
since the artistic quality is better.

Dallas local https://www.art-virtue.com/demo/ 

https://www.facebook.com/100001074313666/videos/oa.1546778782509182/671074591481189

Photo galleries of https://www.asianamericanheritage.org/asiafest.asp 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/janxiephotography/albums/

Ancient Chinese calligraphy masters with eternal masterpieces
Ancient masters listed at https://www.9610.com/Index1.htm are the best of history.

https://web.ygsf.com/#/home?VNK=d871360f will generate the calligraphy free of charge.






  


Premium services



Menu

Supplies

Descriptions

Samples

 

Executives package or weddings

$330 per hour

 

You make your decisions to order a mixture of blank scrolls, specialty paper and/or mounted cardstock, etc. from Amazon or Temu.

Search keywords: Chinese calligraphy scroll, cardstock, etc. 

You may ask for recommended items before ordering. 

 

Respectfully designed for managers, CEO, CFO, VIPs, beauty pageants, etc.

Calligraphy written on scrolls, or mounted Chinese calligraphy work, has higher a collection value. I do not give VIPs "just a piece of paper" with calligraphy on it and then fold it in a large envelope as many others do.

I have seen Chinese politicians associated with the United Nations bestow pieces of wrinkled or folded paper with Chinese calligraphy to President Obama, his brother Mark Obama Ndesandjo (a fan of Chinese calligraphy), etc.






 


Dallas Chapter of Financial Executives
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.1467299035036523&type=3 

Calligraphy & koto (i.e. Guzheng) combo

Calligraphy hourly rates, same as above.
5% discount if paid in advance via PayPal.


Joshua has good connections with different levels of koto performers in north Texas, including top-notch Guzheng players of international level and instructors. No referral fee.

For Guzheng hourly rate, please inquire and consider carrying and transporting of such instrument. 

 You don't need to purchase anything.


Enjoy soothing koto music while waiting to receive Chinese calligraphy for your names and/or short phrases.


A professional guzheng player can move the audience to tears.

 


Painting & koto combo

Painting hourly rate starts from $250 (for mini scrolls) to $300 (mini scrolls and medium-sized scrolls). Bookmarks included.

Guzheng hourly rate, please inquire.

You don't need to purchase anything. 


Enjoy soothing koto music while watching Chinese brush paintings to be created on bookmarks and medium and small sized blank scrolls. Scrolls are ready to hang (no framing required).

Guests will receive about  8 to 10 bamboo or simple subject paintings on bookmarks per hour. Additionally, one medium or small sized scroll can be done per hour.

Recipients can request their names to be inscribed on the paintings which can enhance the collection values of the artwork. Seals can be added at the artist's discretion. 


 

This sample typically takes 15 to 20 minutes.

 

Calligraphy & martial arts (or folk dance) combo

Calligraphy hourly rates, same as above.
5% discount via PayPal. Additional 5% discount if paid in advance. 

Martial arts and dancing hourly rate, please inquire.



 

You don't need to purchase anything. 

Watch traditional Chinese Kungfu and/or dancing while waiting to receive Chinese calligraphy for your names and/or short phrases.


 


 

Calligraphy, koto & ancient zither (i.e. Guqin) combo

Calligraphy hourly rates, same as above.

Musicians' hourly rates, please inquire.


 

You don't need to purchase anything. 

 

Enjoy Guzheng and zither music while waiting to receive Chinese calligraphy for your names and/or short phrases.

 






 

 






The following parts will be added and organized after March, 2026.


Chinese brush painting demonstrations and lectures:



Menu

Supplies

Service Description



Samples

 



 

 


 


 




 

 


 


 

Painting 1:Blank paper or premounted blank scrolls

$450 per hour


 

All included.

You don't need to purchase anything.

 

The guests, and/or audience may receive pieces of Chinese brush painting free of charge. The quantities depend on the subjects of figures, landscape, or flowers and birds, the artwork's dimensions, style and complexities, monochrome (Sumi-e) or colored.

Calligraphy inscription and seals are included.

 

For a former president of Plano Asian Festival

 

Painting 2:Bookmarks or small pieces of fancy paper

$300 per hour



 

Bookmarks and/or fancy specialty paper included.

You don't need to purchase anything unless you want to bring your own specialty paper.

 

Short calligraphy inscription such as recipient's name or a short phrase from a poem included.

The guests, and/or audience may receive pieces of Chinese brush painting free of charge. The quantities depend on the subjects of figures, landscape, or flowers and birds, the artwork's dimensions, style and complexities, monochrome (Sumi-e) or colored.

 








Mariel' house with Dr. Li for North America Association of Chinese Doctors

 


Painting 3: Spontaneous Xieyi figures for dancers

$300 per hour

Availabe after January, 2027





 

All included.

You don't need to purchase anything.

 

 




 

























C2: Names & Short Phrases MIXED

per hour

Names written with black ink on red Chinese calligraphy paper

Short phrases may be written on white paper.

All supplies included. You don't need to purchase paper and ink, or anything.

Chinese people do not write people's names on purely white paper if a calligraphy brush and ink are used. This is Asian culture. White paper* is never used on New Year's Day.

*"Purely white paper" means the paper is not mounted with silk borders, or no signature, seals, gold flecks, and/or  other decorations and/or other words are added.



www.art-virtue.com/demo/2006-comcast/index.htm

www.art-virtue.com/demo/2006-kenzo/index.htm 




C-Team: Names & Short Phrases MIXED

per hour for Joshua + $45 administration fee (a non-refundable deposit) + Hourly rate to other calligrapher(s)

Names written with black ink on red Chinese calligraphy paper

Short phrases may be written on white paper.


You will need to purchase paper from Amazon or Temu.


Hourly rate for Joshua = $200
Hourly rate additional calligrapher = $140 ~ $160 depending on their artistic level(s)


If your party has more guests than a single calligrapher can handle, Joshua will recruit other calligrapher(s) with competent Chinese calligraphy skill. They will not charge higher hourly rate than Joshua.

However, I make no guarantee regarding their writing speed, artistic quality, and their communications with the guests.

Some of us had done a joint demonstration during Jackie Chan's promotion of his movie Karate Kid, and received a very nice compliment from Joshua's agent.

Since every Chinese calligrapher has different styles, writing speeds, training methods, and teachers, the best way to compare is to watch videos on YouTube.

Full payment is required by the end of the event, otherwise deposit is required before the event.




 

Setup and cleaning time before and after the writing or painting will not be charged. 
Setup usually takes 15 minutes before the event begins. I arrive about 15 minutes earlier.

Cleaning will take at least 20 minutes. Please make sure that the building will be open after the event for at least 20 minutes for cleaning because inkstones, Chinese calligraphy paper, and brushes are extremely fragile.


 

C3: Only One Chinese Character on Each Cardstock 

per hour



Please purchase cardstock paper from Hobby Lobby or Michaels.

Please buy "textured" cardstock instead of smooth ones. I would not write on slippery paper or smooth cardstock.

Please buy "square" cardstock as shown. Each is $0.69 from Hobby Lobby. Please do not buy rectangular ones.

Ink provided by Joshua.


Limited to 25 characters (pieces) per hour. 

20 characters (pieces) per hour guaranteed. This means there will be at least 20 recipients per hour.

No first or last names. Only single Chinese word.

I know a Dallas calligrapher who will charge $20 per character of this size... so I count overtime strictly for C3. Once my student even charged higher price than I did!

 

C4: Only One Chinese Character on Each Shikishi Board 

per hour


Please purchase your Shikishi boards from Amazon

or other sources. 

Make sure each board is at least 9" x 9".
 

Ink provided by Joshua at no extra charge.


Limited to maximum of 15 characters (pieces) per hour. 

12 characters (pieces) per hour guaranteed. This means there will be at least 12 recipients per hour if not interrupted.

No first or last names. Only single Chinese word.

Shikishi boards are completely wrinkle-free and ready to hang and/or to be inserted into frames immediately. No mounting required.

Chinese calligraphy on Shikishi boards is great for decoration, collection and preservation.


C5: Short Phrases Only on White Paper
(No names)
 

per hour

with black ink on white paper.


All supplies included. You don't need to purchase paper and ink, or anything.

Only white paper is used. 

No people's names will be written for this service. 

This service in white paper is not available during any new year celebration.


Mind, Spirit &  Power



C6: Half-and-Half


The event planner pays a non-refundable deposit of $200 for a two-hour event; $250 for three-hour; $300 for four-hour.

Each audience will be charged a nominal fee from $5 up to $20 depending on the size, length, and content of calligraphy.


 

C2-Custom: Names & Short Phrases MIXED

Pre-Event or Post-Event Custom Order

with black ink on white or red paper.



$100 per 5 pieces + S&H

or

$200 per 10 pieces (Free S&H)

Either white or red paper at your choice (provided by Joshua)

Either first or last names. 

A full name will be counted as two pieces.

Any short phrase is defined as maximum three English words. Longer phrases will be counted as two or three pieces.



This group discount is only for those who will have or have had a Chinese calligraphy demo with Joshua in North Texas. 

Pre-Event Custom Order:  The option helps the event planner to distribute enough pieces during the event to prevent shortage. (I write at home and bring those pieces to your event.)

Post-Event Custom Order: This option allows audiences who did not receive their calligraphy during an event to receive theirs in about three weeks. 

I also work as a public accountant. So please allow enough time. Depending on my schedules, the availability of C2-Custom is not guaranteed.


There are many people selling English names and phrases written in Chinese calligraphy starting from $10 on average per piece on the Internet. Their artistic levels are very different. You may search with Google Images "English names in Chinese calligraphy" , e-Bay, Amazon, etsy...to compare their services, prices and qualities.

PREMIUM SERVICES: Menu & Hourly Rates

Paper & Ink Included or To Be Purchased

Descriptions

Samples

Due to fluidity of gold pigment and other techinical requirements, the maximum quantity I can write per hour is about 20 to 25 Chinese characters for the PREMIUM SERVICES besides the smaller inscriptions (i.e., recipients' names and my signatures), if shown.


C6: Names & Short Phrases

with black ink on premium "Circle Prints" Chinese calligraphy paper

per hour



All supplies included. You don't need to purchase paper and ink, or anything.

The audience will receive the same or similar specialty paper as received by HP CEO Robb Rasmussen in the video. Other prints  are also available besides shown on this video.










 









































































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