Chinese Art Supplies - Chinese Painting / Calligraphy Supplies: Chinese Calligraphy / Painting Ink Stick Set - Dragon (Five Colors) Chinese Calligraphy / Painting Ink Stick Set - Dragon (Five Colors) Ink Stick Size: 3"x 1/2" each Chinese ink sticks have been used for thousands of years to create ink for calligraphy and watercolor paintings. This Chinese calligraphy ink stick set includes five ink sticks. Each one features an image of a Dragon. They may be used for writing calligraphy or watercolor painting. To make ink from the ink stick, it has to be ground against the moistened ink stone surface in a circular manner. Depending on the desire for color intensity, the artist will dip the brush upon different areas of the stone. The more water, the less intense the color of the black ink.