Transcript Document

History of Chinese Calligraphy
As the art of writing Chinese characters,Chinese calligraphy,
or shufa, is closely related to the latter in its formation and
development, boasting as long a history as that of China
itself. It is one of the highest forms of Chinese art, serving
the purpose of conveying thoughts while also showcasing
abstract beauty of lines. Calligraphy is one of the four basic
skills and disciplines of the Chinese literati, together with
painting (hua), stringed musical instruments (qin) and board
games (qi). However, rhythm, lines, and structure are more
perfectly embodied in calligraphy than in the other three
skills.
 According to historical records, it was during
about the later half of the 2nd and 4th
centuries that Chinese calligraphy came into
being in the real sense. However, this does
not mean ignoring, weakening or denying
the artistic value of previously existing
calligraphic forms. Chinese calligraphy of
each period in Chinese history had its
particular forms and styles.
 The course of Chinese civilization is one
influenced by a periodical and linear
process, and it is against such a
background that Chinese calligraphy has
been staging its development. During its
burgeoning period, namely, from the Shang
Dynasty to the Three Kingdoms Period,
Chinese characters evolved from Jiaguwen
，Jinwen to Kaishu（regular hand）and
Xingshu（running hand）.
 In the next period, namely from the Jin
Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty, the art entered
a phase, with Caoshu (cursive hand), Xingshu
(running hand) and Kaishu (regular script)
taking the place of Zhuanshu (seal script) and
Lishu (official script) to become the
mainstream.
 The appearance of Wang Xizhi, the
greatest calligrapher of all time, was a
phenomenon of that period, whose
artistic achievements were highly
appreciated even until the Tang
Dynasty. Meanwhile, a great many
calligraphers were rising at that time,
such as Ouyang Xun, Yan Zhenqing,
Liu Gongquan, each with different a
style.
Four Treasures of the Study
 Writing Brush
 Ink Stick
 Paper
 Ink Slab
Calligraphy Signs in
Hongkong Subway
Calligraphy Technique and Training
Learn how to handle the brush and to grid
the ink
Practice strokes and lines by write over in
black ink the trace lines of characters.
Copy from the good calligraphy models,
using graph paper.
Learn to raise the wrist and elbow in making
a stroke. This is the method for writing
medium sized or larger characters.
Practice, practice and practice.
Calligraphy appreciation
 《兰亭集序》王羲之（东晋）
《多宝塔碑》（唐）yan zhenqing
《草书洛神赋卷》
赵构（北宋）
Try to write:
我爱和平