What style should I learn first as a beginner in soft pen calligraphy?

Hello, according to my experience in learning calligraphy, it is better to start with seal script and official script, because the seal script technology is relatively simple and has an antique flavor.

You can learn the strokes in the center of seal script first, and then master Fang Bi through official script. Square and circle are the most basic forms of brushwork. These techniques laid a good foundation for the later study of regular script, and solved the important breath problem at the same time. Then, we can systematically learn from Tang Jie, Yan Zhenqing's prose, Ou Yangxun's bone strength and structure, Chu Suiliang's line expression, and Yu Shinan's ethereal spirit from spirit to pen ... So once we talked about running script and cursive script.

Let me share my learning order for your reference.

Starting from a mountain inscription, after a period of practice, the lines will be "rounded, vigorous and smooth", laying a good foundation for calligraphy, and then you can write Deng's Bai's Cottage and Song Wudi and Zang, and feel the ink works of seal script. Then you can practice Zhang Qianbei, Cao Quanbei and other classic official script inscriptions, and then write Han bamboo slips such as Juyan and Qing official script such as Yi Bingshou's works, and feel the ink official script.

Yishan stone carving

Zhang Qianbei

Then choose appropriate regular script copybooks to write, such as Yan Zhenqing's Diligence Monument, Ouyang's Jiucheng Palace, Yu Shinan's Confucius Temple Monument and Chu Suiliang's Wild Goose Pagoda Imperial Decree. Learn the statutes of calligraphy in the Tang Dynasty and improve your understanding of the structure of Chinese characters.

Preface to the sacred instruction of Yanta

Confucius temple tablet

Later, you can practice your understanding and control of the flexibility of the pen tip by visiting the classic calligraphy posts in lower case, such as Zhong You's Xianbiao, Wang Xizhi's Huangting Jing, Wang Xianzhi's Jade Edition Sonnets, Zhong Shaojing's Ling Fei Jing and Zhao Mengfu's Tao Te Ching.

Statement table

Yu ban Shi San hang

Then learn the running script, such as practicing the thousand-character script of Zen master Zhiyong, the preface to the collection of characters by Zen master Huairen, the preface to Lanting by Wang Xizhi, Zhao Mengfu's Luo Shenfu, etc., and continue to practice the control of the writing brush. After that, you can choose your favorite official script, such as Tang Kai, Wei Bei and cursive script. To gain knowledge for temporary writing. After writing to a certain extent, you can start off-duty creation.

Thousand-Character Classic

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