Introductory Regular Script Stroke Graphic Tutorial, A Must For Calligraphy Beginners

First look at the schematic diagram of the horizontal hook:

horizontal schematic diagram

The front part of the horizontal hook is written in the same way as the horizontal hook, so I won’t go into details. When the stroke reaches position 3, lift the pen slightly to the upper right, then turn the pen to the lower right and make a pause, a bit like writing dots.

Horizontal hook writing method one

Horizontal hook writing method 2

When the stroke reaches position 4, return from the original path. Be careful not to go back too far. Just go to the middle of 3 and 4. Then, hold the stroke and draw it out diagonally to the left. The horizontal stroke is completed:

Horizontal hook writing method three

Four horizontal hook writing methods

There are two types of vertical strokes in regular script, one is the hanging pin vertical stroke and the other is the hanging dew vertical stroke. The first half of the two vertical strokes are written in the same way, but the closing stroke is different. Please take a look at the diagrams of the two vertical strokes:

Schematic diagram of hanging needle vertical and hanging dew vertical

I won’t explain the meaning of “hanging needle vertically” and “hanging dew vertically”, but mainly talk about the writing method. The first half of the two vertical writing methods are the same, requiring the writing to start against the front, but the ending is different. The writing method of hanging needle vertical is: starting from the upper left corner against the front, then turning the front to the right to stroke, and then turning the front to spread the center line downwards. Finally, the strokes are like needle points. When the line reaches the end of the line, the pen should be drawn slightly to the left, and then closed to the upper right.

How to write hanging needle vertically

The writing method of Chui Lu vertical

Finally, there are example characters containing hanging needle vertical and hanging dew vertical.

Characters containing "hanging needle vertical" and "hanging dew vertical"

The way to write regular script hooks is relatively difficult, and there are many types of hooks, such as horizontal hooks, vertical hooks, oblique hooks, vertical curved hooks, etc., so I have been sharing the writing methods of hooks with everyone these days. Today I would like to share with you how to write a vertical hook: first look at the schematic diagram of a vertical hook:

Diagram of vertical hook

The first half of the way to write the vertical hook is the same as the way to write the vertical hook. I won’t go into details here. The key part of the hook is difficult to write, that is, the positions 5, 6, and 7 in the diagram are difficult to write. The first part is the same as the way to write the vertical hook, and the strokes are up to 5. Make a slight tap to the left to circle the position, then turn the pen upwards and hold the pen slightly to gain momentum, and finally draw the hook to the left.

Illustration of vertical hook writing method 1

Vertical hook writing diagram 2

The complete way of writing vertical hook

The horizontal hook is a very difficult stroke to write in regular script. You need to master the method and skills and practice frequently. First, look at the schematic diagram of the horizontal hook:

Diagram of horizontal hook

It takes four steps to write a horizontal hook. First, start the stroke along the peak, and then stroke downward to the right. When the stroke reaches half the length, stroke horizontally, that is, the bottom of the stroke at positions 2 to 3 in the picture should be slightly flatter. Do not Draw all the way to the lower right corner.

The first step of writing horizontal hook

The second step of writing horizontal curved hook

When the stroke reaches the hook, you can lift the pen a little (the tip of the pen should not leave the paper), move the tip of the pen a little distance to the right along the lower edge of the stroke, and pause the pen to the left to gain momentum.

The third step of writing horizontal curved hook

Return to the left, stop for a moment and then hook out towards the center of the word.

The fourth step of writing horizontal curved hook

After about four steps, the horizontal hook writing is completed.

Complete illustration of horizontal hook writing

Horizontal hook is difficult to write and requires more practice. Different fonts have slightly different ways of writing horizontal hook. Here is an example of Liu Kai's horizontal hook.