What does underpinning mean in calligraphy?

In calligraphy, underpinning refers to having a stable foundation when writing, so that strokes can be smoother, more stable and more accurate. The meaning of underpinning is very important. It enables the writer to master the size, thickness and distance of strokes, thus enhancing the basic skills and charm of writing. There are many common methods to hold the bottom, such as stacking several sheets of paper on a paper pad, putting the pen under the paper pad, or putting several bamboo sticks on the back of the hand for the pen to write on. Either way, the purpose is to make writing more accurate.

Compared with simplified Chinese calligraphy, traditional Chinese calligraphy pays more attention to the aesthetic feeling of glyphs and the writing skills of fonts. The writing of traditional Chinese characters needs to pay more attention to the fluctuation and size of strokes, and the skill of holding the pen is particularly important. On the one hand, bottoming can make the distance between strokes more balanced and enhance the stability of writing; On the other hand, the backing can also help control the font thickness and make the fonts of traditional Chinese characters more harmonious and beautiful.

For calligraphy creation, holding the brush is a very necessary and commonly used skill. In the process of creation, underpinning can help calligraphers master the strength and rhythm of strokes, balance the size, width and thickness of fonts, and enhance the charm and expressiveness of works. At the same time, the technique of supporting the bottom needs to be combined with the calligrapher's personal style. Only by using the technique of underpinning in the natural environment can we show the unique charm of calligraphy works.