Learning the Foundations: The Importance of Copying in the Study of Clerical Script

Just as in other forms of calligraphy, the practice of copying, or linmo, is an essential step in learning and mastering lishu. This essay will explore the significance of linmo in the study of lishu, delving into how it cultivates a deep understanding of the script's structure, technique, and historical context. The essay will begin by emphasizing that linmo is not just a mechanical act of copying, but a process that requires close observation, meticulous attention to detail, and a deep engagement with the models. It also emphasizes that copying helps the student understand every nuance of the master’s work.

Secondly, the essay will discuss how copying enhances the calligrapher’s technical skills, including brush control, stroke execution, and understanding of spatial relationships. This repeated practice builds technical skills and strengthens muscle memory. Through repeated practice, learners develop the technical foundation for mastering the script.

The essay will then explore the importance of selecting high-quality models for copying, highlighting how different masters and different steles offer unique approaches to the script. Selecting good models to learn from is critical to the learning process. The essay will focus on how the study of various masters provides a broader understanding of lishu style.

The concept of “意临” (yilín), interpretive copying, will also be explored, discussing how after achieving a level of proficiency in direct copying, the student begins to incorporate their own interpretations and stylistic variations. This section will focus on the transition from strict copying to a more personalized approach. This interpretive copying is essential to the development of a personal style.

Finally, this essay will conclude by emphasizing that linmo is a foundational step in the journey towards mastering lishu. The study of traditional models provides a pathway for developing technical mastery, an understanding of history, and a appreciation for the aesthetic principles of the art form. It is through this disciplined process of learning that calligraphers eventually develop their own unique voice in the tradition.