Calligraphy is the traditional art of
writing Chinse characters. After centuries of creation and evolution, calligraphy
has become a unique form of art.
Chinese scripts are generally divided into five categories:
- the seal script - zhuan
- the official script - li
- the regular script - kai
- the cursive hand - cao
- the running hand - xing
The seal script was the representative script of Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 206 BC).
The official script was popular used in Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD). The regular
script was the result of development of the official script. The cursive hand is
a fast way of writing the regular scripts and official scripts. The running hand
is the script between the regular and cursive. Neither as neat as the former regular
nor as difficult to recognize as the cursive, it is the most commonly used, and
is the easiest way of handwriting.
There have been many famous calligraphers, such as Wang Xizhi, Ouyang Xun, Yan Zhenqing,
Liu Gongquan and Zhao Mengfu, to name but a few. Each after years of hard practice,
has formed a unique calligraphic style, elevating the Chinese calligraphy into a
higher level.
Chinese brush, ink stick, paper and ink stone are the neccessary tools and materials
for writing and painting, and have always been named collectively as the "Four Treasure
of the Study". To learn how to use a Chinese brush. Beginners should start by copying
the regular script.
Reference data
- Wang Xizhi (303 - 641) was a famous calligrapher of Eastern Jin Dynasty and enjoyed
the reputation of "the saint of calligrapher".
- Ouyang Xun (557 - 641), with personal name as Xinben, was a famous calligrapher
of Tang Dynasty, called "the regular script top one of Tang Dynasty".
- Yan Zhenqing (709 - 785), with the personal name as Qingchen, was a famous calligrapher
of Tang Dynasty. He totally got rid of early Tang Dynasty writing style and created
a new calligraphy style.
- Liu Gongquan (778 - 865), with the personal name of Chengxuan, was a famous calligrapher
of Tang Dynasty. He was famous for his unique script equally with Yan Zhenqing and
they were called "Yan & Liu".
- Zhao Mengfu (1254 - 1322), with the personal name of Songxue or Oubo, was a famous
calligrapher and painter of Yuan Dynasty.
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