The so-called cursive script refers to the fast writing of Chinese characters. The evolution of Chinese characters in ancient and modern times includes many styles, including regular script, official script, seal script, seal script, and then cursive script. There are two types of cursive scripts, namely Zhangcao Jincao. Zhangcao's calligraphy is the evolution of official script. The method of writing is to shorten the strokes and use the speed of the pen to make cursive writing. Types of cursive script: With the evolution of calligraphy style, cursive script can be divided into three categories: Zhangcao (official cursive), Jincao (small grass), and Kuangcao (large grass).
1. Zhangcao
There are various opinions about the origin of cursive script, but they all agree that it came into being at the same time as official script. Neatly written regular script is official script, and quickly The grass written on the grass is the chapter grass, which can be confirmed from "Juyan Han Bamboo Bamboo Slips". The main characteristics of Zhangcao are that the characters are flat and square, horizontal and simple in structure. Although they are connected by traction hooks, the characters are independent and combined.
The seal and official script, especially the horizontal strokes, the horizontal strokes, and the right hook, still maintain the official script's "Yanwei" brushwork. The characters are in a horizontal position and there are not many connections between characters. It is both regular and simple.
2. Jincao (small grass)
Jincao is derived from Zhangcao. The difference between it and Zhangcao is: Zhangcao still retains the "tail" of official script, but now the "tail" of official script has been completely removed from official script. The structure has also changed from flat to rectangular, and the horizontal position has been changed to vertical position. The characters " and " are also occasionally continuous, breaking the rule that each character in Zhang Cao is not continuous. Zhang Zhi of the Han Dynasty was the earliest modern calligrapher and the founder of Kuangcao. Jincao has reached a fully mature state when it has developed to the second king, and its characteristics are "fluid and smooth" and "simple and dynamic".
3. Grass (big grass)
Crazy grass is big grass. Huaisu's "Thousand-Character Essay on Xiaocao" and "Thousand-Character Essay on Dacao" are not only different in terms of large and small characters, but more importantly, Dacao is more indulgent and unrestrained than Xiaocao. Da Cao's writing style is smooth and ups and downs, the strokes are concentrated, and the words are continuous. Even if the strokes are not continuous, the strokes are connected with the meaning and completed in one go. It has a strong sense of movement and rhythm, and has the power to shock people's hearts.
Taking the text of cursive works as an example, the arrangement of vertical rows and horizontal columns is usually not used except for occasional use in individual cursive works. The most commonly used method of cursive script is to form vertical rows and horizontal lines without columns. You can also use the "rubble-paved street" pattern with vertical lines but not horizontal lines.
Special emphasis is placed on the use of contrasting techniques in the creation of flowing fonts. Cursive script is a more flowing font than running script. Therefore, there are often stronger contrasts in cursive writing, especially the contrast between light and heavy, size, density, and vertical and horizontal contrast. For example: "Lanting Collection Preface" has four characters, and the character "Lan" is twice as big as the combination of two characters in "Collection Preface"; in "Miao Miao Immortal", the characters "Imitation" are densely packed, and the characters "Imitation" are sparse. The character "神" is elongated, and the character "仙" is expanded. The use of these contrasting techniques is even stronger in Kuangcao. In order to implement these contrasting techniques, there are techniques for finishing the final strokes and making up the strokes in Imosa that are different from other fonts. Although these techniques can be included in the categories of pen usage or structure, the final effect is still reflected in the composition of cursive script