Copy and paste two uses -- Zheng Wengong Stele Water Calligraphy Manuscript

Author: Cang Shu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-05-10
Features: This book is printed on watercolor paper for calligraphy enthusiasts to practice. The black-and-white side of the left page is for tracing, while the hollow characters on the right page are for copying. Sometimes, it's difficult to master certain strokes or structures, so the copying method, also known as the outline-filling method, can be used to understand them. The outline-filling method requires filling each stroke completely in one go, without or; if there are any shortcomings, it means the force was insufficient or the brush wasn't moved properly; if there's overflow, it means the force was excessive or the brush was moved too far. When copying, use a clean brush dipped in clean water to write, and the black characters will appear on the paper. Never use a colored brush or a brush dipped in dirty water, as it may leave stains on the paper, affecting writing and the book's lifespan. To make practice more effective, four couplets can be used as guidance:
1. Two couplets for practicing strokes:
(1) "Five key principles, two side lines; two side lines, adjust force, know when to change."
(2) "Brush movement must be precise, actions, avoid floating strokes; vary speed when writing."
2. Two couplets for practicing structures:
(1) "Horizontal and vertical positioning must be accurate, responses should be clear everywhere."
To achieve noticeable results in practice, carefully identify the shapes of strokes and the movements of each stroke, as well as their horizontal and vertical positioning, before starting. This book is engraved on a cliff as a stele. It was carved in the fourth year of the Yongping era of the Northern Wei Dynasty. The full title is "Stele of Zheng Jun, Former Vice Minister of the Secretariat, Military Commissioner of Yan Province, Eastern Antonine General, and Governor of Yan Province, Nanьян Wen Gong of Zheng." The stele's title only reads "Rongyang Zheng Wen Gong Zhi Bei." The stele is located on Yunfeng Mountain, fifteen li south of Ye County in Shandong Province, and was written by Zheng Daozhao, the son of Zheng Xi, the father of Zheng Wen Gong. At that time, Daozhao also served as the Governor of Yan Province, and the stele was carved to commemorate his father's achievements. Since Daozhao had already carved the same stele on Tianzhu Mountain—forty li south of Guangzhou—on the same year, the Yunfeng Mountain stele is known as the "Lower Stele of Zheng Xi." This book is compiled from the first of characters with no damaged mouths, slightly reduced in size, and is suitable for those who are dedicated to practicing Northern and Southern Dynasties steles and epitaphs.