3 Benefits by Good Characters

Calligraphy sample book serves as a learning model for learning to write characters. Liu Gongquan (柳公權) and Yan Zhenqing’s (顏真卿) are two great masters of late Tang Dynasty and often referred as “Yan-Liu” for their styles of calligraphy. Their books are recommended as models for learning Kai calligraphy.

And many others . . .

Two videos from Mr. Ho, a calligrapher teacher:

Found these on YouTube. Let me know what you think!

Do you draw or do calligraphy on a regular basis? Writing calligraphy is a process and you don’t need to know the meaning of characters to do calligraphy. When kids first learn Chinese calligraphy, they model their drawings on historical master calligraphers’ writings even when they have no idea what some of the character or perhaps the entire page means. I see practicing calligraphy as a way to calm myself and relieve  my mind of stress. In this day and age, we want everything to be done boom! boom!-right away. Writing Chinese calligraphy one stroke at a time at a very slow pace could be difficult for many. I’ve seen people take almost a minute to write just one stroke.

First Step
 
When you buy practice papers (for example, http://goodcharacters.com/art/art3630.html) and books of sample calligraphy (for example, http://goodcharacters.com/art/art2242.html), you will see that they both have grids of nine boxes. When you practice writing calligraphy, the first step is to try to copy the characters exactly as the masters wrote them. The grid helps you to place each stroke or dot at the exact place. So don’t write hastily, but do spend time to do it carefully.

Second Step
 
After you are able to write exactly like the sample calligraphy, which might take days or weeks practice, you are ready to test your skill by using the same type of paper but without looking at sample calligraphy. The goal of this step is to be able to write exactly without looking at the samples.

Third Step
 
The next level is to write on a blank paper without a grid. You should be able to write exactly like the master without looking at the sample since you have it in your heart.

Final Step
 
Once you are able to write like the master on any blank paper without looking at the sample, you should be ready to write any character, not just same characters from the sample book, and retain the style and spirit of the master. Since all Chinese characters are based on a limited set of dots and strokes, you can apply what you have learned to any new characters.

Yan Liu
 
Most students start out by learning Yan Zhenqing’s and Liu Gongquan’s calligraphy. (http://goodcharacters.com/art/calligraphy-books.html) Master Yan’s writing (http://goodcharacters.com/art/art4009.html) is thick (fat) and solid. Master Liu’s calligraphy (http://goodcharacters.com/art/art4016.html) is thin but strong. It is said that once you master these two fundamental styles, you have the base for creating your own unique style.

Real Beginners
 
For real beginners, you might want to take the baby first step by getting practice books or papers that have character outlines in red. For example, Book of Sample Calligraphy for Beginners 1 to 4 (http://goodcharacters.com/art/art4027.html) and Beginner’s Calligraphy Practice Paper Set 1 to 3 (http://goodcharacters.com/art/art3388.html).

I hope this helps. If you have any other questions about drawing or calligraphy, please let me know.