The usage of seals is as follows:
Seals are generally divided into two categories: "famous seal" and "idle seal". There are two types, Yin and Yang (or Zhu Wen and Bai Wen), and there are many different shapes. In a work, the seal is not only to prove that it is the author's "handwriting", but also has the function of "balancing the picture" or "coordinating the frame". Generally, there are several methods to fill in the gaps: there are too many hollows in the painting, and a small red dot can fill in the so-called gaps.
Entraining Qi: The picture is composed of Qi or momentum in all directions. If you feel that the momentum in a certain direction is not enough, you can choose a golden point and put a small seal on it to enhance the momentum.
Balance the picture: After the entire painting is finished, if you feel that a certain position is "heavy", you can put a stamp on the corresponding position to balance it. 4. Coordinate the picture frame: Generally, the name seals used have two parts, yin and yang (name, word or number, etc.), which are stamped at the signature at the same time. This sometimes makes the red color appear too concentrated. It is often necessary to choose a position to stamp with the "pressure corner" and "rise". "First", "Welt", etc. to coordinate.
Since calligraphy and painting are different after all, the importance of sealing is also different. The seals used in calligraphy are more "stylized", while the seals used in paintings are obviously varied. As for how to use the seal specifically, it depends on the picture.
If you think there are more than two places where you can consider using a seal, put the seal on a small piece of paper, and then look at the painting to see where it is best to place it. Name seals on calligraphy and painting should not be stamped with more than three stamps in a row. Two stamps should be stamped, or one stamp is appropriate. When stamping two seals, they must match the upper yin and lower yang.
Commonly used seals include:
1. Name seal. Generally used in conjunction with two parties, it is indispensable in the picture. One side is engraved with the name and the other side is engraved with the font size; or one side is engraved with the surname and the other side is engraved with the name. One side is engraved with red inscriptions, and the other is engraved with white inscriptions. When using it, if the red ink is light, use it on the top; if the white ink is red, if it is heavy, place it on the bottom.
The size of the seal is approximately equal to or slightly smaller than the inscription. As for the sealing position, if there is a lot of space under the signature, it can be stamped at the bottom. If there is less space under the signature, it can be stamped on the left and right side of the handwriting. The distance between the two square seals is approximately equal to the position of one or two seals. They should not be too far apart or too crowded together.
2. Pressed corner seal, also known as painted corner seal. It can be used in the lower left or lower right corner of the painting according to the needs of the picture. The corner seals are larger than the name seals and are mostly square or rectangular, regardless of the Zhu Baiwen. The content can be aphorisms and aphorisms, collectively referred to as leisure chapters, such as "Teacher by nature", "The mountains and rivers are interesting, the country is so beautiful", etc. You can also use the name of the Zhai Guan, called Zhai Guanzhang, such as Wen Zhengming's "Zhen Shang Zhai", Shi Tao's Dadi Thatched Cottage, etc.
3. Introduce the first chapter. Most are rectangular, but some are oval or irregular. According to the needs of the picture, it is used on the right side of the first two or three characters of the title, so it is called the lead. The content is similar to the corner seal.