Shu Su Tie Enlarged Selection

Author: Ni Mingye / Tang Yu (editors)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-12-01
Features: The "Series of Enlarged Ancient Inscriptions and Calligraphy Manuscripts" takes commonly used calligraphy classics for beginners as the blueprint, selects typical character examples, and organizes them by stroke, radical, structure, or variant forms of the same character. It is supplemented with techniques such as character enlargement and (flipping of stone tablets), making it a preferred choice for calligraphy learners and teachers as a practice manual or teaching reference. This volume is compiled based on the "Shusu" (Shu Bamboo Slab) written by the Tang Dynasty monk Huaisu.
Mi Fu (1051–1107), styled Yuanzhang, was also known as Xiangyang Manshi and Haiyue Wai Shi, and was popularly called "Mi Nan Gong." He was an outstanding calligrapher and painter of the Northern Song Dynasty. Mi Fu was skilled in poetry and calligraphy, had a keen eye for appreciation, and could imitate ancient calligraphy so well that it was often indistinguishable from the originals. Both his calligraphy and painting established new schools, and he was ranked alongside Su Shi, Huang Tingjian, and Cai Jing as one of the "Four Masters of the Song Dynasty."
The "Shusu" was written by Mi Fu at the age of 38. Its brushwork is smooth, sharp, and dynamic, combining straight and oblique strokes, hidden and exposed lines, and is highly versatile. The characters often have a left-low, right-high arrangement, with rigorous structure and a high artistic style. When practicing this manuscript, attention must be paid not only to the variations in stroke forms, the subtle transitions at the start and end of strokes, which reflect the continuity between strokes, but also to the basic substitutions in running script, such as using dots to replace horizontal, vertical, or oblique strokes, and using hooks to replace dots. In addition to paying attention to the spacing and interaction between strokes and radicals in individual characters, one must also grasp the overall characteristics of the characters, such as size, slant, and center of gravity. At the same time, the brushwork should be decisive and confident, with a writing speed that is not too slow, to fully experience the "calm and forceful" style of Mi Fu's calligraphy.