Recommended by Teacher Defengtang 1. Key points on how to use seals in calligraphy works
This is often a real problem faced in calligraphy works. You should understand the basic content:
1. It depends on the size of the blank space to choose the best position, spacing and more or less printing areas.
2. It must beautify or make up for the work as a filler and embellishment.
3. The use of seals should play a physical role in correcting the center of gravity or physical center of gravity of the entire text.
4. Prove the anti-counterfeiting properties of the work through the author’s name, seal, etc., and provide reliable fidelity.
5. Use tradition and aesthetics to broaden horizons, break stereotypes, and achieve a broader printing space.
Of course, care must be taken to prevent improper placement of seals or improper use of seals, without distinction between good and bad. Not only will it not beautify the work, but it will cause the work to fail or add unnecessary unnecessary unnecessary extravagance.
2. Requirements for calligraphy seals
The seal cutting requirements for calligraphy seals are very particular.
Choose a seal of appropriate size and avoid choosing a seal that is larger than the signature. Too big, too eye-catching, and overwhelming. It is necessary to use more seals without being troublesome, and less without being single. The placement of the dropped seal is careful, and the overall balance is observed.
It is necessary to distinguish between high and low levels of calligraphy and calligraphy style characteristics:
1. The seal must be of a high level. If the main body of a calligraphy work is well written, but the seal cutting level is poor, it will directly affect the grade of the work. Therefore, it is required to have a high level of seal carving. If the calligraphy work is good and the seal cutting level is high, the artistry of the work will be enhanced a lot. This point must attract our attention. Some people who are learning calligraphy are also learning engraving, which is okay. But the level of engraving is not high, and I don’t know how to use it. It’s just to make up the numbers and it’s used everywhere, which greatly damages the beauty of the work. It needs to be changed, and it’s better not to use it. Authors who cannot use it must improve their appreciation level and strengthen their cultivation.
2. The style of the printed text is basically similar to the calligraphy style in the work. The calligraphy author must have a serious standard for his work. Basically whose calligraphy is learned, whose characteristics are there, and what elements are included in the work. , which style of writing is formed. Have a serious attitude towards your work, and when making seals, you should create a seal that suits your work. You can also find a seal engraver to make it for you.
The first is to know his style.
The second is the style that can explain your own hobbies.
Not too far apart when using. For example:
Wu Changshuo: The clumsy calligraphy style is not suitable for elegance;
Qi Baishi: The bold calligraphy style is not suitable for elegance;
Zhao Zhiqian: Elegant calligraphy style is not suitable for bold and bold calligraphy;
Classical calligraphy style: Regular classical sealing style can be used;
Shifeng calligraphy: Novel and deformed calligraphy style is not suitable for Very standard.
3. General usage of seals:
1. Name stamp: Generally, the seal is placed at the bottom of the signature, and the seals are paired with inscriptions of the same size in Chinese and white. Generally, the white text is on top and the red text is on the bottom. The distance should be at least one chapter wide. Of course, there is also a white name seal, which can be added with the Zhu Wenxian seal at the bottom, or it can be of different sizes, but it must be the smaller one at the top and the larger seal at the bottom. When using the seal, be careful that the seal cannot exceed the inscription, that is to say, be smaller than the inscription. The location must be appropriate, otherwise it will destroy the integrity of the work.
2. Introductory chapter: Generally speaking, there is no limit on the radius and the size, but the size is suitable; but it is best to have a rectangular chapter. You can use casual articles, restaurant names, auspicious words, and poems to print. Generally, the seal is placed on the upper right quarter of the work. For example: between the first character and the right side of the second character, it cannot be in the middle, let alone below.
3. Angle seal: It should be square, large in size, and white text is preferred. You can use casual prose, restaurant names, auspicious words or poems to print.
4. Waist seal: The waist is in the middle from the beginning to the end of the work. Waist badges are more commonly used in large-scale works, and their content has no fixed content. It can echo each other with the three dots and one line of the header, the waist seal, and the lower corner seal. When the Qi moves slightly, you can use the waistband to adjust the filler.
5. Use seals in general key forms.
The first is couplets: there is a single section in the couplet that is the title seal in the middle and lower part, while the first couplet usually introduces the first chapter, and other styles Same. The introduction chapter is usually placed between the first and second characters on the right, with a moderate distance from the characters, not too close or too far. The name seal is placed in the blank space below the author's name. There are usually two seals. It is best to use one red and one white. The distance between the two seals depends on the overall situation. They should not be too close or too loose. The size of the seal should be slightly smaller and the style of the seal should be in harmony with the main body.
The second is the covering: the amount of printing used is the same as other calligraphy styles, and it depends on the needs of the main body. The more the better, otherwise it will destroy the integrity of the composition, especially the middle part of the main work, which is not suitable for sealing; if possible, use a small seal.
The third is the plaque: the inscriptions, seals and the main body should not be too close, but should be sparse and clear, with a sense of integrity.
The fourth is the fan surface: the number of signature seals depends on the amount of blank space and the needs of the composition. In particular, the seal must be of appropriate size. The edges of small seals must be slanted with the main content. Degrees and polylines face each other. This is different from other styles of calligraphy in terms of signature and seal, so pay attention to the difference.
The fifth is the album page: when the content is independent, each page can be signed and stamped, and the last page can also be signed and stamped. It depends on the form of writing.
4. Understanding of classical and neoclassical seal forms and ink pad colors:
1. The seal phenomenon of classical works mainly refers to ancient calligraphy and painting works. A large number of collection name stamps and royal seals are printed on the header and the signature. This is not what the author intended. For example: the works are stamped with the Emperor Qianlong's imperial review, etc. These seals naturally formed a classical style due to their use in calligraphy and painting Zhoushan seafood works; although they were man-made, they were not made by one person, but were formed in the collection of calligraphy and painting transactions. . But there is also something inappropriate about the seal. Adding a seal in the middle of the main body of the work has the effect of obstructing people's vision when viewing the work. This is a historically formed phenomenon.
2. The origin of neoclassical seals. Due to the above classical seals, contemporary calligraphy enthusiasts and calligraphers quote these forms of seals in their creations. A style formed by being widely used in horizontal drapes, couplets, naves, long scrolls and other forms. The seal used in this style is to change the name collection seal into a casual text, add poems to the seal, and also include a seal of personal interest. This method of using seals is a creative thinking that goes against the norm. On the contrary, it has rich seal cutting connotations to embellish and beautify the works. The key to winning is more. As long as the seals are reasonably and orderly and consistent with the spiritual outlook of the entire work, so that the colors of the work are contrasting and full of lively visual stimulation, it can be used. But the style and taste of the seal must be good. This opens up a broader space and adds new elements to the art of calligraphy.
3. Regarding the understanding of ink pads and printing colors, if the ink pad used in calligraphy works is not good, it will cause oil immersion in the work and affect the beauty of the picture. Cinnabar is the best ink pad. Brands include Xilingyinshe and Jiang Sixu from Suzhou, which are the most famous. Since ancient times, red ink pad has been used in calligraphy and painting works. Keep the printing surface clean and the writing clear when using it. Wipe clean and store after use. But ink pads of other colors are used less. There are also few creative works. For example: blue, green, white ink paste, etc. are used in folk white wedding events, and the objects are mainly in elegiac couplets. From the current perspective, this is an unwritten rule. Today, calligraphy has developed from practicality to art. We should break the shackles of old forms and develop the color space for sealing in calligraphy works. This is not inconsistent with the traditional sealing method and can enrich calligraphy works. . Especially the method of sealing on colored paper used in calligraphy works. In order to make the seal contrast on the colored material, the method of pasting the seal is adopted, which has long been unable to keep up with the pace of development. This primitive and unadvanced printing method should be eliminated. You can try to deepen the ink pad or use colored, gold and silver ink pads, or other ink pads to solve the problem.