First, the composition and layout of various fonts
regular script
It mainly refers to Hebei (in addition, there are Jin people's small letters, ancient prose and so on. ), which belongs to the standard, neat and static style. When writing couplets, the characters occupy one grid, usually in vertical rows and columns, or in vertical rows and columns, but the font size is basically the same. If the vertical direction is adopted, the line spacing can be increased, the word spacing can be shortened, and the cycle is compact. You can also relax the line spacing and word spacing to make the layout smooth and even.
official script
The mature official script of the Han tablet also belongs to neat and static script, and the font is mostly flat, and the written couplets occupy one grid. Whether it is a regular grid or a long grid, couplets naturally become horizontal grids, that is, they are close in vertical rows, while the spacing between words is large and the horizontal rows are obvious. This is a unique style of official script, which can also occupy a flat space, making the vertical and horizontal spacing basically equal and forming a unified layout. Han bamboo slips and silk books vary in length, some are vertical, some are left-handed, and some are arrogant. Therefore, the vertical position is suitable for books, and the lines are not required to be neat, but the upper and lower lines should be equal, the line spacing should be consistent, and the collection and collection should be basically flush and symmetrical.
Semi-cursive/running/calligraphy (China's calligraphy)
Running script is based on regular script, plus some cursive writing. It is simple and complex, the characters are continuous and vivid, and the font size can be expanded with the trend, forming a beautiful, easy-to-read, easy-to-write, practical and ornamental book. Because it is between regular script and cursive script, there is a lot of room for manoeuvre in the movement and flow of the body, so there is a branch of cursive couplet in running script, which can take advantage of the characteristics of continuous character potential and free and lively structure. In terms of composition, only when the upper and lower parts are balanced and take care of each other, instead of every word and every part being symmetrical, can uneven and complicated composition changes be formed as much as possible in the overall basic symmetry, and the role of cursive script can be better played.
cursive script
Include Cao Zhang and Cao Jin. Cao Zhang is Han Li's cursive script. In the history of calligraphy, Cao Zhang's representative works include The History of the Three Kingdoms, Suo Jing's Ode to a Teacher, and Lu Ji's Ping Fu Tie. Its posture is characterized by the distinction between words, neat arrangement, even spacing between words, incoherent between words, flat and square figure, round and tangled stripes in stippling, waves in some horizontal paintings, and static and dynamic posture. Cao Zhang writes couplets, and the composition can refer to regular script.
Seal character
Oracle Bone Inscriptions, Da Zhuan and Xiao Zhuan are all independent and unrelated, belonging to a static writing. Among them, the glyph of Xiao Zhuan is longer, and that of Shi Guwen is a folk prescription, but the glyphs are uniform and of the same size. Oracle bones and Zhong Ding are different in size, length and flatness. Its book couplets can be made with reference to model essays and official regulations respectively.
II. Inscription, Inscription and Seal
Harmony is not the main part of couplets, but there are also many inscriptions in the calligraphy works of couplets. From the content point of view, the name of the person who wrote the book in the next paragraph, the general title of the previous paragraph, the source of the book, the year and month, etc. The contents of inscriptions and postscript often contain brief background materials or necessary explanations, and sometimes even play the role of making the finishing point; From the perspective of calligraphy, inscriptions are an important part of the composition of works, which sometimes play a role in coordinating, enriching and perfecting the overall composition. Therefore, it should not be ignored because it does not belong to words, but should be included in the creative conception of the overall composition of couplets. Nevertheless, the title of the paragraph is not the text after all, and the writing of the couplet should be clear: first, the diameter of the paragraph title should be significantly smaller than that of the couplet; Second, the style of writing cannot conflict with couplets. If couplets are static and solemn regular scripts such as regular script, official script and seal script, it is best to choose cursive script outside the same body in order to pursue the richness and change of the meaning of the book; If couplets are cursive, it is generally not appropriate to use seal script, official script and regular script. Of course, there is no certain method for artistic matters. Sometimes cursive couplets with few words are written in small letters and official letters, which forms a contrast of size, density and movement, and can also achieve a bright and beautiful artistic effect.
The title depends on the number of words and layout. For those with few words, the first paragraph is inscribed on the upper right side, the lower side, the upper side, the lower side, the lower side, the lower side, the lower side, the lower side and the lower side. In order to pursue conciseness, there is no need to leave the last paragraph, just add the name of the bookkeeper (the name can be simplified to 1-2 words, called "cold paragraph"). Those with fewer words can be written according to the above inscription position, and those with more words can be written on the left and right sides of the upper and lower couplets; In order to avoid loose rules and regulations caused by large word spacing, titles can be made at the lower part of the upper and lower couplets to remedy them. Write the lower part of the last line of the upper and lower couplets corresponding to the Longmen for signature or inscription. Depending on the number of words, the postscript can range from one line to several lines. If there is not enough space, you can also write on the left side of the upper part and on the right side of the lower part.
Third, the essence of couplet composition
The two complement each other, complement each other, and combine books to complement each other. In addition, the different uses, content, emotional color and language style of practical couplets provide space for the choice of calligraphy style and the adjustment of composition, and also create conditions for solving the contradiction of couplets and expanding the limited space. All these require calligraphers to constantly explore, practice and create, and make more delicious food for the couplets calligraphy garden.