“Taking Qin and Han Seals as the Model” means that in the process of learning seal carving, we should copy and study as many seals from the Qin and Han dynasties as possible . For complete beginners, this principle can also be understood as focusing primarily on copying different types of Han seals. The origin…
As the name suggests, a general’s seals belonged to military officials. Most of them were created during emergencies along the frontier, when officers had to be appointed quickly in times of crisis. Because “orders had to be issued immediately and could not be delayed,” these seals were often carved in great haste, directly with a…
“Han seals” is a broad term. It includes official seals, private seals, jade seals, generals’ seals, and more, representing another major peak in the history of ancient Chinese seals. In seal-carving(seal-engraving/zhuanke) study, however, the term “Han seals” usually refers specifically to the finely cast official seals of the Han dynasty. Jade seals and generals’ seals…
During the Spring Festival holiday, I carved myself a seal. The words on it are “风物长宜放眼量”—basically, “Take a broader view of things.” I ended up laying it out in three columns.The stone I used was a piece of Qingtian new mine material, about 2.5 by 3 centimeters. The knife was a Yongzi brand “Song” series…
The compositional layout in seal engraving(Traditional Chinese Seal Carving (Zhuanke)) refers to the method of arranging the design based on the characters and the seal face. Today, we introduce “contrast” as a key compositional technique. The contrast method involves creating a striking opposition between the density of strokes and the balance of red and white…
The establishment and enduring appeal of an art form are intrinsically linked to its unique tools and materials. Truly successful works are always the result of fully harnessing the inherent characteristics of these implements and substances. Seal engraving possesses its distinctive aesthetic value precisely because of the special properties of the knife and the stone….
By the mid-Ming Dynasty, seals had evolved into a distinctive art form of engraving. They transitioned from being practical items or accessories to calligraphy and painting into an independent art form. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the art of seal engraving flourished with numerous masters and diverse schools. These schools were typically named after…
The methods of holding the engraving knife in seal carving primarily vary depending on the tools, materials, and the size of the object being carved. Delving deeper, the evolution of engraving techniques encompasses various knife grips, with the main ones being the Three-Finger Grip and auxiliary methods. Here, we focus on two fundamental grips and…
After understanding the art of seal engraving, let’s shift our perspective to how to appreciate the work itself. Only with some ability to appreciate it can one gradually clarify their own direction in learning this art: 1. The Unique Aesthetic of the “Spirit of Metal and Stone” Unlike the blended, fluid interaction of ink and…
On an otherwise ordinary summer day in June 2024, I suddenly woke from sleep around three or four in the morning. An intense urge to learn seal engraving surged through my mind. I had absolutely no idea where it came from. At that time, I was learning about calligraphy. My only exposure to seal engraving…