In China's calligraphy, ink and pen are closely related. They are inseparable twins.
In the last article, we talked about brushwork, structure and composition. Now, let's discuss the ink method again.
As for the evaluation of good calligraphy works, the ancients have long said that "a good book must be in its shape. If you sit and walk, if you move and fly, if you come and lie down, if you are sad and happy, if you eat wood leaves, if your sword is long, if your bow is strong and your arrow is hard, if you are water, sky, cloud, sun and moon, if you are vertical and horizontal, you can call it a book". This can only show that any good stippling form in calligraphy can only be regarded as art if it can arouse people's association with various beautiful forms and dynamics in reality, which is exactly the case. Good calligraphy always gives people a pleasing, radiant and comfortable feeling, which makes them feel comfortable to look at. Ink also plays an important role in good works.
Pen and ink is not only the record of brushwork, but also the witness of calligraphy level, and it is also the final effect of brushwork. Therefore, it is very important to study how to use ink in calligraphy, which has been valued by calligraphers since ancient times. People all know that the brushwork of calligraphy is changeable, and the brushwork is also varied. If the dryness, wetness and lightness in writing are handled properly, the elegant charm can be displayed between the lines; With ink, you can achieve the combination of reality and reality, dry and smooth, and the fragrance of wine is fluttering, and its charm and momentum can still be vividly displayed on the paper. Generally speaking, some calligraphy works are sluggish and some are weak ink, which is because we have not grasped the point of using ink.
Therefore, it is worthwhile to learn calligraphy well and use pen and ink well. It is very reasonable to call aquatic blood ink raw meat in ancient times. Ink and wash are like the flesh and blood of calligraphy. It is unimaginable that calligraphy has no blood and no meat.
The general rule of using ink is called ink method. With regard to ink, we write with a brush, and people often say "engraving ink" and "writing". In essence, ink runs through these two parts.
Let's talk about hiding ink first, which is also called dipping ink and absorbing ink. You can't write a visible brush unless you hide the ink in it. The question is, what is the right amount of ink for a brush?
Generally speaking, the amount of ink should be based on the requirements of writing, and at least one word can be written. In calligraphy, it is not allowed to dip a pen in ink to write a picture, otherwise the written words will be loose and difficult to read through. Of course, it is ideal to write a complete word, even a sentence, so that the ink is not swollen or stagnant, but you must practice hard. Just as a violinist can pull out a dozen or even dozens of notes with a bow, ink has only mastered the ink method at this point.
Mao Cong