A8: How to Choose Form Books (Copy Books or Calligraphy Models)
由何書體入門為宜？
書體可以自由選擇，決定字帖條件如次： 1.書法基礎考量因素 2.適性、適趣 3.調性
Which
Style Is Appropriate for Beginners?
We
may choose calligraphy styles freely. The determining factors are suitable for
interest, suitable for personality, and refining one’s personality. However,
we should choose a style that can build up our foundation for future studies
above those criteria.
Please
also refer to P8: Choosing a Form Book in the
"Principles" section.
擇帖如何滿足三條件？
蓋所喜歡的，未必所適合的。喜歡與否屬適趣，應由學生自擇決定。能適合與否屬適性，當由授業師就其適趣中擇適合帖體，如此便能圓滿前二條件。而第三調性係針對心性有需輔正其心智個性者方適用之。
What
Are the Three Requirements of Choosing A Form Book?
What
a student likes may not be suitable. It’s up to the student to choose what he
likes for interesting learning. However, it’s the instructor who further
chooses a Form Book from what the student likes to best fit the student’s
personality.
書體與心智有關否？
本性較保守、憨厚、樸實者，性近隸、篆。
本性喜歡思維、機智、靈巧的設計者，性近楷、行、草。
What
are the relationships between one’s personality and choosing a style?
If
one’s personality is conservative, honest, and steady, his nature will resemble
Li and Zuan styles.
If
one is good at design by pondering, wisdom, and smartness, he may like Kai,
Hsin, and Tsao styles.
If the instructor can teach different styles to the students according to their personalities and characters, he will benefit the students more.
Choose
Original or Earlier Rubbings, Not Amended Version
Compare the following rubbings of an old famous inscription. The characters on the upper row without any amending show the original appearance and spirit. The same characters on the bottom row are amended to cater the buyers or beginners. However, if we look closely, the original appearance and essence are twisted. If we choose amended rubbing for our practice, we will be going astray without self-awareness.
("Amending" or repeating a Chinese calligraphy stroke is considered a taboo and dishonest. Once a Chinese calligraphy stroke is done, it cannot be amended, enhanced, or fixed. This is very different from painting, Western calligraphy, or other forms of arts. Chinese place a strict rule on brush writing as it should come directly from one's mind and real skill. If an officer in China is found with amending a brush stroke in writing, he will be ridiculed and disrespected! An amended brush stroke can be easily told by experts because it shows evidences of inconsistent ink densities. Overall, amending severely twists the original spirits of Chinese calligraphic writing and should be avoided by all students at all levels!)
Amended strokes can be detected both on "ink on paper" copies or rubbing versions since they show evidences of inconsistency and camouflage.
Please
also refer to A6: How to Distinguish Authentic and Fake Chinese
Calligraphy works.