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The art of Running Script (行书), like any art form, requires the right tools. The three most crucial tools are the brush (毛笔), ink (墨), and paper (纸). Each of these elements plays a significant role in shaping the final piece and influencing the calligrapher’s experience. Selecting the right tools is as essential as developing your technical skills. The brush is the calligrapher's primary tool. The type of brush, its size, the length of the bristles, and the material used (e.g., goat hair, weasel hair, or mixed) can have a profound impact on the texture and flow of the ink. A brush with flexible bristles is often preferred for Running Script because of the fluidity needed. The brush must become an extension of your hand. Ink is another critical factor in calligraphy. Traditional Chinese ink comes in the form of an inkstick that is ground with water on an inkstone. The quality of the ink, its consistency, and its depth of color affect the appearance of the brushstrokes. The act of grinding the ink, “mo mo” (磨墨), is also seen as a meditative activity, allowing the calligrapher to prepare for the creative process. Paper, often made from mulberry bark or bamboo, plays a significant role in how the ink is absorbed and displayed. The paper’s texture and absorbency influence the thickness, clarity, and sharpness of the lines. Rice paper (宣纸) is favored for Chinese calligraphy because it absorbs the ink well and produces beautiful results. The texture of the paper influences the texture of the ink itself. Choosing the right tools is a personal journey, one that involves experimentation and an understanding of the interaction between the tools and the art form. The right brush, ink, and paper are tools that support the calligrapher in the process of artistic expression. The selection of tools is a vital part of this art form. |
Tag : Calligraphy Tools, Chinese Brush, Ink Stone, Rice Paper, Calligraphy Supplies
This article emphasizes the importance of the heart and mind in Running Script, highlighting how the calligrapher’s inner state, intention, and emotional engagement are reflected in the strokes, and how the practice is a path to both artistic and personal growth.
This article explores the use of Running Script in public art installations, highlighting how it transforms public spaces, creates new forms of engagement, and helps preserve and promote traditional calligraphy.
Running script, xingshu, is often described as the perfect balance between structure and freedom. This essay will explore this apparent paradox by analyzing how xingshu utilizes a foundational framework to give direction to its free-flowing forms. The essay will begin by defining the subtle structural elements borrowed from regular script (kaishu) which serve as the anchor of each character. Though simplified and connected, the fundamental architecture of the characters is still discernible, providing a crucial element of legibility. This allows the script to retain an underlying sense of order while allowing for expressive flexibility.
This article explores the role of Running Script in calligraphy education programs, highlighting how they provide structured learning, support, opportunities for experimentation, and play a crucial part in the preservation and promotion of the art form.
"Cold Food Observance," or Han Shi Tie, by Su Shi (苏轼), is a celebrated example of Running Script (xingshu) from the Song Dynasty. It's not just a simple piece of calligraphy; it is an emotional outpouring that was created in a period of difficulty and exile for Su Shi. The work captures a range of emotions, including grief, frustration, and a longing for home. Its masterful use of brushstrokes and its profound emotional depth have made it one of the most cherished works in the history of Chinese calligraphy.