Introductory Calligraphy Practice Course (Detailed Version).
1. Basic knowledge of calligraphy
Before you start learning calligraphy, you need to have a holistic understanding of calligraphy.
Historical and cultural background of calligraphy
Learn about the place and role of calligraphy in Chinese culture.
Briefly describe the evolution process from oracle bone script and gold script to Kai, line, grass, and Li.
Know the famous calligraphers of the past dynasties and their representative works, such as Wang Xizhi, Yan Zhenqing, etc.
Selection of tool materials
Brush: Learn to distinguish between different properties of brushes, such as wolf's hair, sheep's hair, etc., and choose the right brush according to your writing needs.
Xuan paper: Learn the difference between raw xuan, cooked xuan, and half-cooked xuan, as well as the type of writing that each is suitable for.
Ink and inkstone: Learn to choose the shade and quality of ink, understand the types of inkstone and how to maintain it.
Writing posture and penmanship basics
Sitting and standing: Master the correct writing posture and keep your body relaxed and stable.
Fundamentals of penmanship: Learn how to hold and move the pen, and understand the basic concepts of center and flank.
2. Basic stroke and font structure
At the heart of calligraphy are strokes and font structure, both of which are the basic elements that make up a calligraphy work.
Basic stroke exercises
The eight basic strokes of dot, horizontal, vertical, apostrophe, pinch, lift, hook and fold.
Each stroke requires a lot of repetition to build muscle memory.
Font structure awareness
Learn about different types of font structures, such as individual characters and combined characters.
Learn the proportions, intersperses, and avoidance relationships between strokes to build a harmonious font.
Exercises that combine strokes and structure
Start with simple words and gradually increase the difficulty, practicing the combination of strokes and structure.
Learn how to combine basic strokes into beautiful fonts by copying them.
3. Copying and creative practice
Copying is an important means of learning calligraphy, and creation is a comprehensive embodiment of the level of calligraphy.
Copy the classic copybook
Choose a script that suits your level for copying, such as "Yan Qinli Monument", "Orchid Pavilion Preface", etc.
When copying, pay attention to the details of the strokes and the overall charm of the original post, and strive to have both form and spirit.
Back and mind
Background: On the basis of familiarity with the copybook, write out the words in the copybook from memory to test your mastery.
Yilin: Do not stick to the glyph of the original post, but create according to your own understanding and aesthetics.
Creative practice and appreciation of works
After mastering a certain foundation, try to create your own calligraphy works, which can be poems, famous sayings, aphorisms, etc.
When creating, we pay attention to the overall layout and discipline, so that the work presents a harmonious and unified beauty.
Learn to appreciate your own and others' calligraphy and draw merit and inspiration from it.
4. Theoretical knowledge and aesthetic cultivation of calligraphy
Learning calligraphy is not only about hands, but also about using your brain, and it is very important to understand the theory of calligraphy and cultivate aesthetic ability.
Learn the theory of calligraphy
Read books on the theory of calligraphy to understand the artistic characteristics and aesthetic standards of calligraphy.
Study the book theories and reviews of famous calligraphers of the past dynasties to deepen your understanding of calligraphy.
Develop aesthetic abilities
Appreciate the works of calligraphers of the past dynasties, and learn to analyze and evaluate them from the aspects of strokes, structure, and chapters.
Visit calligraphy exhibitions and museums to broaden your horizons and enhance your aesthetics.
5. Daily practice and continuous improvement
Calligraphy is an art that requires long-term practice, and it is very important to maintain daily practice and continuous improvement.
Make a plan for your exercises
Create a realistic practice plan based on your time and goals, and stick to it.
You can arrange a period of time each day for special exercises, such as stroke exercises, font structure exercises, etc.
Reflection and improvement
In the process of practice, constantly reflect on your own shortcomings, such as whether the strokes are in place, whether the structure is reasonable, etc.
Seek ways to improve the deficiencies, such as asking the teacher for advice, **teaching**, etc.
Participate in calligraphy activities and exchanges
Participate in calligraphy classes or clubs to exchange ideas and skills with other calligraphy enthusiasts.
Participate in calligraphy competitions or exhibitions, showcase your own work and accept comments and suggestions from others.
Through the detailed study and practice of the above five aspects, I believe that you will be able to go further and further on the road of calligraphy, and constantly improve your writing level and aesthetic ability. Remember, learning calligraphy requires patience and perseverance, and it is only with consistent practice and thinking that significant progress can be made.