Why should we copy calligraphy?

1, copying is an important means to learn calligraphy, especially in the beginner stage, most of the time is spent copying pictures. There are also calligraphers

Why should we copy calligraphy?

1, copying is an important means to learn calligraphy, especially in the beginner stage, most of the time is spent copying pictures. There are also calligraphers who often copy in their later years, even for life. For example, Hu Xiaoshi and Lin Sanzhi also did day-copying classes in their later years; Zhao Mengfu and Wang Juesi were still obsessed with copying Wang Xizhi's calligraphy in their later years. What's more, Li Ruiqing, a Taoist priest, regards the copied calligraphy works as the representative works of his life's calligraphy. Of course, beginners and calligraphers have different purposes of copying, and there are essential differences. A beginner's copying is mainly to lay a good foundation of calligraphy in order to have good basic skills. Calligraphers have clear goals and selective copying in order to further deepen and further study in order to achieve the ultimate ideal.

2. Now copying generally refers to approaching rather than copying. Traditional copying includes copying and copying in two different ways. Copying can also be divided into red tracing and printing. Tracing red is copying on the scarlet letter printed specifically for copying books; Printing is to cover the copybook with translucent paper for copying. This "imitation" method is generally only used by beginners, but it can also be used for further rigorous training and research. Kissing can also be divided into kissing, kissing and kissing. From imitation to presentation, from right to back, from back to meaning, this represents the progress and improvement of calligraphy learning. There is a saying in monasticism that "three turns and nine turns", which means that real practice often needs to be repeated many times from low to high, from high to low, in order to be truly effective and comfortable.

3. Calligraphy copying can be divided into learning copying and practicing copying. The former is to copy for the learning and progress of calligraphy;

4. The latter regards copying as a method and means to complete calligraphy works. The former can be regarded as a primary copy, while the latter is relatively an intermediate and advanced copy. Just because of different purposes, ideas and techniques are naturally different. If you are studying copywriting, you usually seek form first, and then seek the likeness of god, with the goal of both form and spirit. In addition, they often adopt a way of learning from others, and their goal is to learn from elephants, so they can't give consideration to their individuality and play. Creative reproduction is different. It is precisely because copying serves the creation of calligraphy and personal integrity, and more is to master the overall methods and laws of calligraphy through copying, and at the same time consider combining one's own personality and hobbies. This kind of copy can have more subjective consciousness and thoughts, can pursue the spirit likeness, and can also take into account the factors of combining personal style.

5. Copying can also be divided into realistic copying and freehand copying. Realistic copying can be seen from the literal meaning, which is a method of respecting objective objects and emphasizing accurate and true reflection. Freehand brushwork copying does not emphasize realism and shape, but focuses on taking its meaning and getting its spirit. It can be said that the former emphasizes similarity, while the latter emphasizes similarity. Generally, in the primary stage of learning books, realistic copying can be given priority, emphasizing form first. With a certain foundation, then gradually transition to freehand copying. In the mature stage of freehand brushwork copying, although the likeness is not sought at this time, due to the foundation and efforts of likeness, it is roughly similar and intangible, with the effects of "likeness" and "spirit likeness". Whether realistic copying or freehand copying, we should consider everyone's personality and its role and performance in calligraphy. Conventional calligraphy study in China, especially in the primary stage, generally pays little attention to this point. Emphasizing this point will actually bring very serious adverse consequences to calligraphy learning. Many people don't know that the real success of calligraphy must include the important factor of personality. This is the so-called real "books are like people" and "people are like their books".