It is recommended that you start with regular script (Tang Kai) instead of learning regular script for one moment and official script for another. There are two most basic elements in learning calligraphy, namely brushwork and calligraphy (frame structure). If you master these two, you will be good. Then comes the ink, composition, layout and signature.
Let’s talk about brushwork first.
Brushwork is the method and technique of using a brush. There are two writing methods, one is the writing method (five-character writing method), and the other is the writing method. (We only talk about brushwork here) There are three stages in any stroke, namely the beginning of the stroke (also known as the beginning of the stroke, the beginning of the stroke, and the beginning of the stroke), the beginning of the stroke, and the end of the stroke. The brushwork techniques generally include center forward, side forward, lifting, turning, hiding, etc.
Among them, center forward and side forward are the methods of writing.
Hide and reveal is the method of starting and ending the pen.
Zhongfeng, also called center, means that when using the pen, the front direction (direction of the pen) is opposite to the direction of the pen. The front direction and the direction of the pen are always opposite. For example, when writing horizontally, the front direction is Left, the pen movement direction is right, so when writing horizontally, keep the pen tip to the left, keep the pen tip in the stroke, and then move the pen to the right. Another example is when writing vertically, the direction of the pen is upward, but the direction of the stroke is downward. Therefore, when writing vertically, the pen edge should be kept upward and the pen edge should always be in the stroke, and then the pen should be moved downward, and the rest of the strokes should be like this. This is the center pen. It is difficult to explain the front movement and the length is long. You can read it in "What is a flanker_Wangjushanren_Sina Blog", which explains what front movement is, how to do front movement, etc. , the content is more detailed.
The method of starting and ending the brush calligraphy is very simple, there are two methods: hidden front and exposed front.
Hiding the edge means hiding the edge of the pen. Hidden front includes reverse entry (used to start the pen) and return front (used to close the pen). Reverse entry means that when starting to write, the tip of the pen should enter the paper from the opposite direction. For example, when writing horizontally, the stroke should be reversed to the left, and then the tip of the pen should be turned back to the right, that is, "if you want to go right, go left first". Another example is when writing vertically, reverse the stroke and move upward, and then turn the tip of the pen back to move downward, that is, "when you want to go down, go up first." This is Zangfengqibi (reverse entry). To return to the front, the stroke is drawn to the end, and then the front of the brush is turned back into the stroke. For example, when writing horizontally, draw the pen to the end, then turn the pen back to the left. Another example is when writing vertically, stroke the pen to the end, then turn the pen and turn it back upward (the method of closing the pen with hanging and vertical strokes). This is Zang Feng's collection of pens (Hui Feng). To expose the edge means to expose the edge of the pen. The tip of the pen cuts into the paper smoothly. Starting strokes such as dots and left-pointed horizontal strokes are all exposed-edge strokes. When Lu Feng puts away his pen, he takes the lead. Such as skimming, pressing, picking, lying hook, etc. are all showing the edge and closing the pen.
If there are too many hidden fronts, it will lack vitality, not be agile enough, and it will be difficult to think clearly. If there is too much exposure, it lacks connotation, is not stable enough, and is frivolous and weak. Therefore, every word must contain something hidden and exposed, and the hidden and exposed must be combined. When it is hidden, it is hidden, and when it is exposed, it is exposed. The ancients said: "Hide the front to contain the energy, expose the front to unleash the spirit." This is true. The rest of the transitions and mentions, etc., are explained in detail in "360 Personal Library Calligraphy Techniques Lecture 1" and will not be repeated here.
The calligraphy is the so-called shelf structure, such as the left is high and the right is low, the right is extended and the left is retracted, the top is sparse and the bottom is dense, the top is dense and the bottom is sparse, etc. In short, when you first learn calligraphy, you only need to focus on the two elements of brushwork and calligraphy. In addition to constant practice and writing, you must also read and recite (not rotely memorize) calligraphy theories (calligraphy theory), such as "Eight Jue", "Ouyang Xun's Thirty-six Methods of Regular Script Structure", "Huang Ziyuan's Ninety-two Structures of Regular Script" "Fa", "Shupu" and other book treatises. If you can study calligraphy persistently and attentively and apply the calligraphy theory you have learned, I believe that your calligraphy will definitely improve. I wish you success!