Lan Ting Xu

Author: He Yuzhang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-10-01
Features: Calligraphy art is a cultural treasure of the Chinese nation. Since the reform and opening-up, the popularity of calligraphy has surged, with learners spanning the country. Especially among the elderly, the enthusiasm for calligraphy is particularly heartening, which sufficiently demonstrates how deeply rooted calligraphy art is in people's hearts. As an art form, calligraphy not only will not fade away but will instead grow more beloved as material and spiritual civilization advances. I have been engaged in calligraphy teaching since the 1980s. Through more than two decades of teaching practice, I have come to realize that mastering running script is the most challenging hurdle in learning calligraphy. To learn running script, one must first study the Running Script of the World and Wang Xizhi's Two Prefaces, namely the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion and the Preface to the Holy Teaching. The Orchid Pavilion Preface by Feng Chengsu of the Tang Dynasty, a rubbing of the original, is an ink copy and is remarkably lifelike, often described as slightly inferior to the original. However, this copy has long been kept in the imperial palace, making it difficult for ordinary people to see. Therefore, since the Tang Dynasty, people have primarily studied the Dingwu edition of the Orchid Pavilion Preface. Fortunately, modern learners now have the opportunity to study the photocopied Feng copy. To help beginners develop a correct understanding of [brushwork], I, despite my limited knowledge, have dared to present my clumsy imitation of the Feng copy of the Orchid Pavilion Preface for reference. The intention is to assist beginners in understanding brushwork.