Copybook for Chinese Calligraphy

	Calligrapher	Price
Regular script
The Spring The Ministers Li Xian Stele Temple of Nun Ma Imperial Guards Stele Wanan Bridge Cuan Longyan Stele	Ouyang Xun Zhang Xu Xu Hao Yan Zhenqing Liu Gongquan Cai Xiang	$ 34.30 $ 20.50 $ 22.45 $ 24.20 $ 18.00 $ 45.00 $ 24.70
Clerical script
Ritual Implements Zhang Qian Stele		$ 19.25 $ 14.00
Cursive script
In Haste Thousand Characters Seventeenth	Huang Xiang Zhi Yong Wang Xizhi	$ 42.00 $ 40.00 $ 15.00
Semi-cursive script
Two Poems Silk of Sichuan	Huang Tingjian Mi Fu	$ 22.00 $ 14.00

The training of Chinese calligraphy, like any other form of art, starts from its discipline - the copybooks. Regular script used to be the first style to begin with; however, clerical script, from which regular script evolved, has been reasoned for the order since the 19th century. Cursive script is generally lined behind.

1. The first step is to choose a model. The number of models to choose from is practically endless, but a student are encouraged to choose the one that is most close to his nature.
2. As an art student copies a painting from old master, a would-be calligrapher makes copies from a copybook. There are two methods to make copies - tracing the characters through a sized rice paper or comparing to the model while write by imitation. While the tracing method helps in stroke placement, the comparing method emphasizes on brushwork. At this stage a student is asked write the same characters over and over again until he can make an exact copy.
3. The key to a successful copy is finding stroke pattern in a particular model. It may take a beginner more than two year to have a good grip of a certain style. “A hundred days effort will not yield result in calligraphy,” as an ancient Chinese saying goes. If a student has a firm understanding of his model, he should be able to write with the copybook closed.
4. Copying a model can be creative if the genius of the master-calligrapher is absorbed rather than merely imitated. After long period consistent practice, a serious student will try to write with self-expression. If his handwriting begins to show personality, he has reached a stage called breakthrough.