Pen Cursive 100 Days Practice Book: Calligraphy 100 Days Series

Author: Chen Guoxiang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-11-01
Features: The "100-Day to Master Calligraphy Series" includes 6 books: Hundred Days to Master Regular Script, Hundred Days to Master Pen Regular Script Practice Book, Hundred Days to Master Running Script, Hundred Days to Master Pen Running Script Practice Book, Hundred Days to Master Clerical Script, and Hundred Days to Master Pen Clerical Script Practice Book. In the future, depending on readers' needs, other books for different calligraphic styles and scripts may also be published. The term "Master" implies understanding, proficiency, and comprehensive mastery. Based on the level of mastery, it can be categorized as basic understanding, initial proficiency, or advanced expertise. In the "100-Day to Master Calligraphy Series," "Master" naturally refers not to advanced expertise but to initial proficiency or entry-level knowledge. It must be noted that calligraphy, as a traditional cultural art, is vast and profound. Some may spend a lifetime striving to reach the pinnacle of calligraphic skill, and expecting to achieve mastery effortlessly is unrealistic. If one dedicates a hundred days to learning, they can at least step through the door of calligraphy, which is sufficient to meet the needs of study, work, and social interactions. This approach aligns with the fast-paced lifestyle while ensuring learning is based on scientific methods, making it an ideal choice. This is the starting point and purpose behind editing and publishing this "100-Day to Master Calligraphy Series."
Why not call it "60-Day to Master" or "80-Day to Master," or even "120-Day to Master"? Wouldn't "60-Day to Master" or "80-Day to Master" be more attractive? And wouldn't "120-Day to Master" offer more content? To address this, we can tell readers that the "100-Day to Master Calligraphy Series" provides a scientific, step-by-step, and progressive learning method for calligraphy. A period that is too short may not allow for mastery, while one that is too long may not align with readers' preferences. Practice has proven that this is a combination of quality and speed in learning. Additionally, each script has both a 100-Day to Master book and a Practice Book, allowing readers to learn and practice simultaneously, emphasizing the integration of learning and practice. This fully considers the differences between learning calligraphy and learning other cultural knowledge.
Whether it is the 100-Day to Master book or the Practice Book, each section is structured around a daily learning unit, with one learning topic and one page of writing practice per day. If one persists, after a hundred days, they will undoubtedly see significant improvement. Success belongs to those who work diligently. We hope that readers of the "100-Day to Master Calligraphy Series" will, through effort, all write beautiful calligraphy.
Pen running script is characterized by its convenience, smooth strokes, simplicity, clarity, and ease of recognition. It is both practical and artistic, making it an indispensable tool for modern people in learning, work, and communication. Therefore, many people regard mastering pen running script as a goal they strive to achieve.
To write good pen running script, in addition to having a solid foundation in regular script, one must also understand and master the writing principles of running script. For beginners, it is best to start with regular script before progressing to running script. Those with some foundation can naturally begin with running script directly. The selection and arrangement of model characters in this book are based on long-term teaching experience, considering the usage frequency of characters, the characteristics of running script, and its unique combination rules. The books are organized in a classified manner, progressing from simple to complex, facilitating gradual learning. Additionally, many sections are designed to complement the Practice Book for Pen Regular Script, helping readers transition from learning regular script to running script. The logical arrangement of this book aids readers in mastering the writing method of pen running script and, based on this foundation, applying the same principles to other Chinese characters in running script.
Learning calligraphy requires steady, diligent practice and cannot be rushed. Avoid hasty scribbling or writing at random. To this end, this book provides an ideal learning content and method, including textual explanations, model characters, tracing, and copying, as well as exercises in related character forms, reviews, and explanations of running script structure with accompanying tracing and copying. When studying, readers should pay attention to reading and understanding the introductory text at the top of each page. Begin with tracing before moving to copying, practicing one page per day. If one persists, after a hundred days, their calligraphic skills will undoubtedly improve significantly.