Wang Xizhi on Calligraphic Copying Skills 王羲之谈临帖

We noted that one of the most important ways of learning Chinese calligraphy is copying the model calligraphic works. The sage of calligraphy Wang Xizhi (321 - 379) was obviously an advocate of this way of acquiring calligraphic skills. The following essay was written by him advising his son Wang Xianzhi on copying techniques. His son Xianzhi is also a great calligrapher in the history of calligraphy.

Paper is the battlefield; brush is the sword; ink is the helmet and armour; ink stone is the castle; skill is the commander; conception is his assistant; structure is the strategy. To move a brush is to take a risk; to start a stroke is to issue an order; to draw a turning stroke is to kill. Writing the dots is like letting quarry stones fall freely, writing the slanting stroke is like slaying the enemies. To write freely so that the strokes are fast and sharp, to manipulate the brush so as to achieve harmony, to pause and turn is to achieve the pressing effect of the slanting slope.

Do not expect to write as well as the model calligraphic work in terms of the structure and composition on first try. The first round of copying is to get the sitting posture right and learn how to write correctly. The second round of copying will enable you understand the structure of the characters. The third round of copying should result in the shape of your writing looks like the model work. The fourth round of practice will add strength and quality to your strokes. The fifth round of copying will train you in applying all the brush techniques, such as how to start and end, and proper way of pressing down and lifting up the brush, etc. If you feel lacking fluency in the writing process, please do not stop writing and give up. It is better to write two or three rows rather than write nothing. The first goal of practicing calligraphy by copying is to write smoothly and decisively, never mind how many times you need to practice.

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我们注意到临帖是学习书法的最重要方法之一。书圣王羲之（321-379）显然也注重以临帖来掌握书法技巧。以下的短文是他写给他的儿子王献之有关临写的技巧。献之也是书法史上的一个大书法家。

夫纸者阵也，笔者刀稍也，墨者兵甲也，水研者城池也，本领者将军也，心意者副将也，结构者谋策也，扬笔者吉凶也，出入者号令也，屈折者杀戮也，点画者磊落也，戈旆者斩斫也，放纵者快利也，著笔者调和也，顿角者蹙捺也。

始书之时，不可尽其形势，一遍正脚手，二遍少得形势，三遍微微似本，四遍加其遒润，五遍兼加抽拔。如其生涩，不可便休，两行三行，创临惟须滑健，不得计其遍数也。