Blending these completes the artistic entity. When he carves, Hsueh prefers to hold the stone in his hand rather than use a vise like some artists. By turning it in his hand he can gauge the pressure on the stone and its response to each stroke. This requires a strong grip, something he developed during his athletic days. Wood and ivory are good for a bank's use, but the fiber in wood is not good for artistry.
Artists prefer stone for their personal chops.
A master of many styles of calligraphy, Hsueh Ping-nan sees himself as part of a long tradition. In ancient China the literati were supposed to be skilled in painting, poetry, calligraphy, and seal making. Seal making was one of the 10 competitions for artists in the Shang dynasty period. Hsueh copies some characters from ancient tombs in northern China. He also works on creating new styles which he exhibits every three years.