Learn calligraphy: cursive script - rules of writing - rule #8

To read about the other rules of writing Chinese calligraphy in cursive script, please see my other tutorials.

Writing in cursive script (草書) follows a unique set of rules, and those rules often allow the calligrapher to write Chinese characters in a way, which differs greatly from those that are applied in standard script (but not only).

Sometimes, maintaining the flow of writing is more important that following the exact structure of the character. In other words, if the stroke order or even the positioning of a given stroke would cause us to break the energy flow and the rhythm during writing, it is (sometimes) permitted to reposition such strokes, within given Chinese character.

This is a very important rule, as it clearly indicates that the composition, the flow of energy (行気), the power of strokes and the logical order of writing in cursive script, can be more important than the structure of the character. Application of this rule requires a wide knowledge of many aspects of writing in cursive script, including the so called unbroken line (連綿体, i.e. the implicit or explicit connection between characters within the calligraphy text).

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I will write a separate article on the importance of the unbroken line in the Chinese and Japanese calligraphy.

rule #7

cursive script menu

rule #9