A Must-Read Guide to Brushwork and Composition

The author treats composition as a Systematic undertaking, offering a comprehensive discussion of what composition is and how it relates to brushwork, character structure, and ink technique. The book examines the subjects and key concerns of composition, including line arrangement and the distribution of empty space, compositional momentum, the flow of energy between lines, inscriptions, colophons, and the methods and techniques of applying seals. It classifies different types of composition, analyzes their artistic characteristics, and summarizes the achievements of compositional innovation over the past decade or so. It also gives a detailed account of dating inscriptions and the various ways of indicating time. Important arguments are illustrated with representative examples of calligraphy.