Calligraphy was and still is a very important thing for Chinese people. First the writing tools were required : writing brush, ink stick, paper, and ink slab. 

"The earliest writing brush that has been found is a relic of the Warring States Period (476 BC – 221 BC). From that time onwards, the brush has evolved into many forms. The nib can be made from rabbit's hair, wool, horsehair, weasel's hair, or bristles, and so on; while the shaft may be made from bamboo, ivory, jade, crystal, gold, silver, porcelain, sandal, ox horn, etc. It is important to see that there can be both soft and hard brushes each producing their own particular styles."-http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/arts/chinese-calligraphy.htm

Calligraphy was not only writing communication form but also art. Even emperors developed their calligraphy skills. Every person had and has their own unique style but some of them were more popular than the others. For example, Yan Zhenqing and Liu Gongquan even opened their writing schools and taught people special type of calligraphy characterized by its strength.