Calligraphy, in a sense, is a plastic art of writing Chinese characters with a brush, creating artistic conception and expressing feelings.
So the beauty of calligraphy lies in using a pen. This point was recognized by Li Si, Meng Tian and others with profound calligraphy attainments in the Qin Dynasty, when the brush was basically formed. Li Si wrote Xiao Zhuan with a short flat pen, which laid the foundation for later generations' learning. Meng Tian not only successfully improved the brush that has been handed down to this day, but also wrote the first book on brush in the history of China's calligraphy, Bi Jing. In other words, as early as more than two thousand years ago, the sages began to study the method of writing with a brush.
Because "brushwork" occupies the "first" position in calligraphy "method", for more than two thousand years, calligraphers of all dynasties have been making in-depth and meticulous explorations and put forward a large number of unique brushwork.
The more these calligraphers study, the more they feel that "brushwork" is really "infinite mystery", and sometimes it is difficult to express it accurately in very clear and popular language. Therefore, they created a "metaphor method"-that is, using the images of things in nature and human society to compare how to use a pen, so that they and later scholars can understand and master the essentials of brushwork.
The main characteristics of Xihe calligraphy are peaceful and natural, euphemistic and subtle, beautiful and beautiful. Later generations commented: "If you float in the clouds, you are as right as a dragon." Wang Xizhi's calligraphy is exquisite and extremely beautiful to watch. In a word, he introduced Chinese writing from practicality to a realm of paying attention to techniques and interests, which marked that calligraphers not only discovered the beauty of calligraphy, but also showed the beauty of calligraphy.