Chinese Traditional Calligraphy Crash Course

Author: Shen Chunli
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-12-01
Features:
Part 1: Theoretical Section
In traditional Chinese calligraphy, the rigorous and lenient writing techniques are like walls that stand against each other. The identified techniques are recognized based on the "starting point of the stroke," which is a tricky and complex issue. To clarify it, one must focus on interpreting the fundamental concepts and their attributes. First, the three major basic elements of traditional calligraphy (physiological ability, tool characteristics, and material properties) must be restricted. Next, establish a basic theory that combines practice and theory to form a framework-based research system. Only after applying methods to argue can the specialized studies of traditional calligraphy be carried out.
(1) Argument for the limitation of physiological ability in practice: The force of reasonable parts of the physiological ability; with conditions such as vertical palm, wrist movement, and low pen holding, the of wrist up-and-down swinging motion is restricted.
(2) Argument for the limitation of tool characteristics in practice: The force on the fixed parts of the brush tip and the side hairs under the regulation of swinging angles produce alternating patterns of forward and backward strokes. Under the condition of equivalent force and resistance, the basic stroke formation patterns are easily formed, thus summarizing the inevitable effects, which is the basic brush technique. Dynamic analysis confirms: the wrist movement method is the technique with the highest technical content, serving as the starting point of perceptual understanding.
(3) Confirmation of material limitations: After comparing and classifying techniques, theoretical restrictions are formed. By delving into the famous calligraphic works of past dynasties, with direct materials of works featuring wrist movement as the main body, and verifying them with rational textual materials, after collation, they become a research system of rational understanding. In the combination of practice and theory mentioned above, under the interactive argument of motion and form, the research system of this specialty is formed. Beginners still need to understand the technique of "even if the uncontrolled stroke is coarse and narrow, the controlled stroke is fine and round," and the principle of the inclined tendency in structure, only then can they truly master the essentials of rigorous writing techniques.
Part 2: Teaching Material Section
1. The tutorial ensures the smooth promotion of rigorous writing techniques while providing the following five highly operational mathematical methods for teaching practice.
(1) Flexible use of brush, ink, and paper—requiring the use of large brushes, light ink, and waterproof newsprint paper instead of traditional stationery. This can slow down the speed of teaching demonstrations, making it easier for beginners to observe and grasp the dynamic changes of the brush tip, primarily for teaching and self-practice. After mastering basic brush techniques and font structures, return to conventional use.
(2) Wrist and elbow training method—aiming for flexible wrist and suspended elbow, ensuring that beginners can achieve physiological advantages in a short period, then quickly master basic brush techniques and font structures, which is an effective shortcut.
(3) Basic brush techniques—the formed by the interaction of force from the wrist and resistance on the brush tip—is the basic brush technique. It is noteworthy that this resolves the long-standing mystery of brush techniques, marking the first revelation of a technically demanding technique, which can also provide a quantitative standard for basic strokes.
(4) Basic strokes—comprising half-side strokes, round strokes, short horizontal strokes, vertical strokes, sweeping strokes, oblique strokes, and descending strokes, supplemented by 43 important radicals, single-character words in foreign studies, forming distinctive features.
(5) Basic font structure—summarizing "three principles" and "five requirements" from font structure, enabling beginners to quickly understand and master the basic rules of font structure composition.
2. Appendices:
(1) Su Shi's "Record of Fengle Pavilion" from the Song Dynasty.
(2) Basic strokes of brush calligraphy, with 43 important radicals and single-character words included in practice templates. After mastering them, even without copying calligraphy, one can write beautiful brush calligraphy, which is one of the key features of this tutorial.