Learn Chinese calligraphy: cursive script (草書) brush stroke tutorial

10 general rules of writing in Chinese calligraphy in cursive script (草書)

1.   Merging strokes that are separated in standard form
2.   Changing the starting point of a following stroke
3.   Dots merged in one single line
4.   Straight lines are represented by curved lines, sharp corners by loops
5.   Reduction of total number of strokes
6.   Long lines are shortened or symbolised by dots
7.   Complex radicals are significantly simplified
8.   There is a change in a positioning of given stroke
9.   Stroke order is altered
10.  Starting point of an initial stroke is changed

The unbroken line (連綿)

1. Part 1: within one character
2. Part 2: invisible, between two characters
3. Part 3: visible, between two characters

Calligraphy theory: secrets of cursive script

1. Secrets of cursive script, part 1
2. Secrets of cursive script, part 2
3. Secrets of cursive script, part 3

Cursive script (草書) of Chinese calligraphy evolved from clerical script (隷書) under the initial name of 章草 (zhāng cǎo), during the first half of the Han dynasty (漢朝, 206 B.C.E. - 220 C.E.). Chronologically, cursive script is the third script of Chinese calligraphy to appear. Please see the history of Chinese and Japanese calligraphy menu for more detailed information.