What is the basic method of practicing calligraphy? In fact, the first thing to make progress in calligraphy practice is to master the basic stroke forms. It is the basic unit that constitutes Chinese characters. I personally summarize the core essentials of basic strokes into three points (this method is applicable to the characteristics of most calligraphers, but the differences are subtle). The following methods are only for your reference, exchange and learn from each other.


First, we use the double hook method to enlarge the basic strokes, and then observe, and we will find that most of the strokes start in the same way. It’s almost a method of using a pen (except for curved hooks, lying hooks, and oblique hooks). Wouldn't it be a mess if there were dozens of ways to start the strokes for the 28 basic strokes? Of course, every calligrapher has a different way of starting a stroke, but his personal way of starting a stroke must be relatively uniform, and there cannot be many ways. You can also observe ancient posts for verification so that you can learn from each other.

What is the basic method of practicing calligraphy?


You can quickly improve your pen control ability and memory of basic stroke forms through the practice of the double hook method.


So the first core: how to start writing


This consistent way of starting a pen is started by clicking on the right. (As shown below)


What is the basic method of practicing calligraphy?


The core point of starting a pen is to enter the pen lightly. That is the movement of the pen tip lightly touching the paper. In fact, this right point is just a stroke, but it is subdivided to facilitate everyone to master the skills of using the pen. The right point needs to write the characteristics from thick to thin. Almost all points will have changes in thickness. This detail must be mastered.

What is the basic method of practicing calligraphy?


Among the basic strokes, horizontal, vertical, oblique, and even partial strokes can be started with the right click. Then the other basic strokes composed of horizontal and vertical strokes are naturally started from the right point.


What is the basic method of practicing calligraphy?


The second core: penmanship


The reason most friends have poor calligraphy results is that there are problems in the process of writing. Often writing too fast or too slow results in unstable lines and high fluctuations, resulting in unsightly visual effects.


No matter what kind of basic strokes, they are composed of starting, moving and closing, so the moving of the brush accounts for most of the length of the entire basic stroke. The core of pen movement cannot be demonstrated to you in the form of picture analysis, I can only tell you the method. Find the writing speed that suits you between very slow and very fast (each calligrapher’s speed is different, so there are calligraphy treasures contending among hundreds of schools of thought). The speed of pen movement needs to be appropriately faster to achieve smoothness and smoothness.

What is the basic method of practicing calligraphy?


Of course, there are also some psychological factors that affect the effect of calligraphy practice. Anxiety, urgency, urgency, hesitation, and belittling are all psychological factors that lead to the inability to perform normally.


The third core point: turning point


The turning of strokes is a big problem, and many friends are very distressed. In fact, everyone thinks it is too difficult for him. It is not difficult to write well.


You can start learning transitions from the horizontal hook and expand to other transition strokes at a time. (As shown below)

What is the basic method of practicing calligraphy?

What is the basic method of practicing calligraphy?


There are several ways to deal with transitions, but only one is mentioned here. The next article will give you detailed analysis of each key point.


This is the upper right corner turn, and there is the lower left corner turn, which is exactly the opposite, but the direction of the stroke is the same, they are all strokes toward the lower right corner.

What is the basic method of practicing calligraphy?

What is the basic method of practicing calligraphy?


Once you learn the transitions, naturally all the basic strokes with transitions will no longer be difficult.


The rest is to learn the strokes with arcs and strokes with hooks. The hooked strokes are simple, and the pen is no more detailed and precise than the brush needs to express. The pen writing is very small, and the details are even less obvious.


What is the basic method of practicing calligraphy?


The strokes with hooks can be directly drawn out, which is correct in itself. Just be careful not to exaggerate, enlarge, or not have it, as this will affect the aesthetics of the characters.


What is the basic method of practicing calligraphy?


The processing of arcs often requires light and even writing. This requires extra practice. There are a lot of Chinese characters with abbreviations, which cannot be ignored. Just remember not to make the strokes with arcs too exaggerated, too curved or too straight.


So you might as well give these three core points a try, digest them and practice them, and you will surely make unexpected progress.