Abstract: Official script is a calligraphy style that has a turning point in the history of Chinese calligraphy. Its writing style is very simple, not as complicated as cursive script and running script, and not as rigorous in structure as regular script. Therefore, regardless of the writing style Both the evolution of official script and the style of fonts need to be learned. So which post is better to start with when learning official script? What copybook should I choose for beginners to learn calligraphy? Let’s find out below. 1. Which official script copybook is better
To learn official script, you must choose some works with mature style, clear strokes, standard structure and stable style. Such works have regular structure and strokes to follow, and can better understanding and getting started faster, suitable for beginners to learn. Once you learn this kind of calligraphy, it will be much easier to practice other official scripts.
There are many such calligraphy in official script. For example, the beautiful official scripts include: "Cao Quan Stele" and "Chaohou Xiaozi Stele"; the upright and simple ones include: "Zhang Qian Stele" and "Xianyu Huang Stele". "; those with elegant styles include: "The Ritual Vessel Stele", "Shichen Stele", "Yiying Stele"; and the cliff-engraved stones include: "Ode to the Stone Gate", "Ode to the West Narrowness" and so on.
The above calligraphy is worth learning whether you are a beginner or can be used as the main calligraphy practice in the later period. Beginners who are learning official script can choose "Yi Ying Stele", "Cao Quan Stele", "Ritual Stele" and other styles to compare. Fair work.
2. How to choose official script copybooks for beginners
Official script evolved from ancient writing and has various styles and appearances, especially the bamboo slips and silk scripts unearthed in recent decades, which have rich and colorful appearances. This is also one of the reasons why many friends who are new to official script are confused in choosing official script. Where to start learning official script? It can be considered from three aspects.
1. Adhere to the highest standards
Adhere to the highest standards, not to pursue the earliest and oldest things. It is a principle of learning, a goal and a state. This is also the reason why most official scripts use the inscriptions from the Eastern Han Dynasty as models for learning, rather than using official scripts as copybooks. The Eastern Han Dynasty's official calligraphy has the most complete system and the most mature style, making it suitable for beginners. There are three steles in the Confucius Temple: "Shichen Stele", "Yiying Stele", and "Ritual Vessel Stele"; "Cao Quan Stele", "Zhang Qian Stele", "Huashan Stele", "Ode to Fenglong Mountain" and "Ode to Shimen", etc. Loved by everyone, Xi Lin is the most popular.
2. Respect your own preferences
Selecting posts based on your own preferences is not unprincipled. As the saying goes, just like it. Only if you like it will inspire fighting spirit and confidence, and you will be willing to do so. Keep at it.
The straightforwardness and elegance of the Han Dynasty bamboo slips, the beauty and majesty of the Xiping Stone Sutra, the dignity and orderliness of Shi Chen, the elegance and smoothness of Yi Ying, the unique interest of the ritual vessels, the beauty and elegance of Cao Quan, Zhang Qian's simplicity and composure, Huashan's splendor and vitality, Fenglong Mountain's ancient health and squareness, the plumpness and squareness of the Hengfang Stele, the rich charm of the Shimen Ode and the natural beauty of the cliff carvings, as well as the beauty of Tang Li , the unrestrained and changeable official script of the Qing Dynasty, etc., such as wearing clothes, it is actually advisable to choose the official script style that suits you, but you must pay attention to learning from each other's strengths and weaknesses, and integrating them to continuously improve your own vision and aesthetic level.
3. Adjust the copybook in a timely manner
After years of study, the initial copybook has been mastered. You can choose another copybook, either in a similar style or in a very different style. This does not mean that one mountain looks higher than another, but that it better broadens the vision of official script, enriches official script brushwork, lays a good foundation for creation, and then gradually forms one's own official script style.