Calligraphy And Writing Techniques in the Qin and Han Dynasties

Huiwen Li (李惠文); Lifen Han (韩丽芬); George Becker (贝可平)

4 Calligraphy And Writing Techniques in the Qin and Han Dynasties

This chapter focuses on the distinctive scripts of early dynasties that are more than 2,000 years old and reviews various brush techniques. It features additional information on seal script.

Part I. Culture

1 Qin Dynasty and Calligraphy

The Qin Dynasty (秦/qín) was the first dynasty of Imperial China, lasting from 221 to 206 BC. 秦始皇/qín shĭ huáng, the First Emperor of Qin, introduced a range of reforms such as standardized currency, weights, measures, and a uniform system of writing, which aimed to unify the state and promote commerce. The general term seal script can be used to refer to several types of seal scripts, including the large or great seal script (大篆/dà zhuàn) and the lesser or small seal script (小篆/xiǎo zhuàn). Most commonly, without any other clarifying terminology, seal script refers to the latter. The term large seal script itself can also cover a broad variety of scripts. These include a variation of Qin writing that is earlier than the small seal characters, but also the earlier Western Zhou forms, or even oracle bone characters, as well.

Clerical script (隶书/隸書/lì shū) evolved in the Warring States Period (战国时期/戰國時期/zhàn guó shí qī) to the Qin. It was dominant in the Han Dynasty (汉/漢/hàn), and remained in use through the Wei-Jin periods (魏晋时期/魏晋時期/wèi jìn shí qī). Due to its high legibility, it is still used today as an artistic touch in headlines, signboards, and advertisements.

Figure 1: Rubbing of large seal script 大篆, small seal script 小篆, and clerical script 隶书/隸書(in order)

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Part II. Calligraphy Writing

1 Brush Techniques

Experienced calligraphers give utmost attention to the proper use of a brush’s tip. It’s because different parts a brush can create different effects. Here are three techniques to note.

1.1: 中锋/中鋒/zhōng fēng

The most preferred technique is known as writing with 中锋/中鋒, a center-tip technique. The proper way to apply this technique is to hold the brush vertically so that the tip of the brush always moves along the middle line of the stroke.

1.2 侧锋/側鋒/cè fēng and 偏锋/偏鋒/piān fēng:

侧锋/側鋒 and 偏锋/偏鋒 are two different techniques but both refer to using the side of the brush tip. Using 偏锋/偏鋒 means to write using the side of a brush. When the brush is mildly slanted, it is called 侧锋/側鋒 technique, or slant-tip writing.

Figure 2: 中锋/中鋒 and 侧锋/側鋒 (Adapted from 中华书法 Chinese Calligraphy)

1.3 Best Technique Selection

Although each of the techniques can produce different writing effects, good calligraphers strongly suggest 中锋/中鋒 unless 侧锋/側鋒 or 偏锋/偏鋒 is required.

2 Strokes That Compose Characters

2.1 横折 héng zhé horizontal-vertical turn

Figure 3: Three types of a horizontal-vertical turn

There are three types of horizontal-vertical turns. Each type needs a downward turn at the end of the horizontal part. The turning point is created by pressing the brush slightly to the down-right side to produce an angular turning effect.

2.2 竖折/竪折/shù zhé vertical-horizontal turn

Figure 4: Two types of a vertical-horizontal turn

For both, it is necessary to make a rightward turn at the end of the vertical part. The turning point is done by pressing the brush slightly to the bottom-right side to produce the angular turning effect.