Generally speaking, "shape" includes stipple lines and the resulting calligraphy space structure; "spirit" mainly refers to the spirit of calligraphy. The stippling lines of calligraphy have infinite expressive power. They are abstract in nature, and the calligraphy image formed has no specific meaning, but it must contain all the beautiful qualities. In this way, special requirements are put forward for the stipple lines of calligraphy. It is required to have a sense of power, rhythm and three-dimensionality.
1. Sense of power
The sense of power of stippling lines is one of the elements of line beauty. It is a metaphor for the feeling of force that drawing lines evokes in the human heart. As early as the Han Dynasty, Cai Yong's "Nine Movements" made a special study of pointillism lines, pointing out that "hide the head and protect the tail, and the power is in the words", "make the center of the pen always move in the pointillism", "when the pointillism is exhausted, the power is collected" Of". It is required that the pointillism should be deep in the corner, must be taken in as it goes, and have a beginning and an end, so as to show the strength. It should be noted that we emphasize hiding the head and protecting the tail, which does not mean that the middle lines can be ignored. The strokes in the middle must be centered, so that the stipple lines are round and gentle, gentle but not soft, and contain strength. However, the starting and ending points of the stipple lines are not always hidden and sharp (both large seal script and small seal script must hide the sharp edge). In calligraphy, hidden and exposed are often combined according to needs, especially in cursive script, which is ever-changing. When appreciating, you should not only pay attention to the continuity and response of the beginning and end, but also pay attention to whether the middle section is smooth and thin.
2. Sense of Rhythm
Rhythm refers to the regular changes in height, strength, and length of notes in music. Due to the different force and speed of calligraphy during the creation process, calligraphy produces regular alternating changes in different shapes such as weight, thickness, length, size, etc., which creates a rhythm in the stipple lines of calligraphy. The strokes of Chinese characters vary in length and size, which further enhances the rhythm of dotted lines in calligraphy. Generally speaking, static calligraphy styles (such as seal script, official script, and regular script) have a weak sense of rhythm, dynamic calligraphy styles (such as Yan script, running script, and cursive script) have a strong sense of rhythm and rich changes, and pictographic calligraphy styles (such as Yan Shu).
3. Three-dimensional sense
The three-dimensional sense is the result of the center's pen. The strokes written by the center, "viewed against the sun, there is a wisp of thick ink in the center of the painting, right in the middle. As for the folds, there is no deviation in the middle." In this way, the stipple lines can be full, round, thick and round. Therefore, the center's pen has always been valued. However, we cannot find that side-stroke pens can be seen everywhere in calligraphy creation. Except for Xiaozhuan, all other styles of calligraphy are inseparable from side points. Especially in cursive scripts, wingers can be seen everywhere as a complement and foil to the center. The stippling lines of calligraphy intersect and combine to divide the space and form the spatial structure of calligraphy on the premise of following the shape and stroke order principles of Chinese characters. The spatial structure includes three parts: the structure of the single character, the movement of the entire line, and the overall layout.
1. The structure of single characters
The structure of single characters requires neatness, length, and balance, and balance of density. In this way, on the basis of caring about righteousness, we can pay attention to the decay and decay of righteousness, its intricate changes, and the natural image. We can see the danger in the righteousness and find the interest in the danger.
2. The movement of the whole line
In calligraphy works, the characters are connected up and down (or front and back) to form a "connection", which requires up and down continuity and coherent echoes. Although the characters in static calligraphy styles such as regular script, official script, and seal script are independent, the strokes are broken and the meaning is connected. Dynamic calligraphy styles such as running script and cursive script can be written in a coherent and coherent manner. In addition, the movement of Qi throughout the line should also pay attention to the changes in size, echoes, contrast between virtual and real, and the resulting sense of rhythm. In this way, the flow of qi can be naturally coherent and the blood vessels can be smooth.
3. Overall layout
In calligraphy works, dots are combined into characters, ligatures are formed into lines, and lines are combined into chapters, which constitutes the cutting of space by dotted lines, and thus constructs the The overall layout of the calligraphy work. It is required that words and words, lines and lines should be sparsely spaced, and white should be used as black; it should be smooth and balanced, and the right and wrong should complement each other; it should be scattered and varied. Among them, static calligraphy styles such as regular script, official script, and seal script are mainly balanced and balanced; dynamic calligraphy styles such as running script and cursive script have intricate changes and ups and downs. Shencai originally refers to the look and brilliance of a person's face. The spirit in calligraphy refers to the spirit, style, temperament, interest and meaning revealed in the stipple lines and their structural combinations.
"Appearance is the most important, followed by form and quality. Only those who have both can be introduced to the ancients." It shows that the spirit is higher than the "form and quality" (the shape and appearance of the stipple lines and their structural layout). The form and quality are the premise and foundation for the existence of the spirit; therefore, the essence of the calligraphy art spirit is the overall harmony of the pointillism lines and their spatial combinations. . Pursuing brilliance and expressing one's soul has always been the highest realm that calligraphers strive for.
The acquisition of spirit in calligraphy, on the one hand, depends on the proficiency of creative skills, which is the premise and foundation; on the other hand, only the creative mentality is calm and comfortable, the hands in the center of creation are smooth, and the things and myself are forgotten. Only then can you write true feelings and incorporate your own knowledge and aesthetic taste.