Seal cutting is a unique traditional art with a long history of two or three thousand years.

History. Seal cutting, as its name implies, is a seal carved with seal script, which is a kind of practicality.

Works of art are also called "printing", "printing" or "printing".

All this is different from time to time. As early as Shang Dynasty, people used knives to carve "characters" on tortoise shells (

That is what we now call Oracle Bone Inscriptions). These characters have sharp blades, beautiful brushwork and great style.

Have a high level of "lettering". Before the Spring and Autumn Period, Warring States Period and Qin Dynasty, seal cutting was called seal cutting.

"Seal" After Qin Shihuang unified the six countries, it was stipulated that "seal" was for the emperor's exclusive use, and the minister

The following and privately carved seals are collectively referred to as "seals". This formed the seal of the emperor.

"or" Bao ",the official seal is called" Zhang ",the general seal is called" Zhang ",and the private seal is called.

"Letter"

Two. Types and uses of seals

(1) name stamp

1. The name stamp is the signature stamp of the inscription. Some names are linked together, while others are separated. title

The use of chapter, with one word as positive, can also be a surname.

2. The printed paragraph name; The word, and then use the name stamp. The paragraph has a surname and can be stamped, but the paragraph has no surname.

, or not, apply a name stamp to identify the author.

3. The ancients used rules and manners, paying attention to etiquette: all humble and young people were respected by books. When using seals: use words between peers.

Chapter; If the elders want to give it to the humble and young, they can use another stamp.

Famous seals are generally divided into Zhu Wen (Yang Wen) and Bai Wen (Yin Wen). On Calligraphy Works

When the two sides seal, it is best to have one piece of paper and one piece of white. These two chapters are appropriate in length. Use more at the end of a paragraph.

Chapter, the order is first name chapter, then word chapter, number chapter.

Yang Wen ~ Wen Yin

The left one is in the yang, and the right one is in the yin. The so-called Yang Wen is the words on the stone.

It is convex, and the negative word is negative.

(2) Idle chapter

Leisure articles are layout articles, which are divided into introductory articles, border articles, corner articles and waist articles.

1. Introduction

Introduction chapter is a chapter stamped by Zhong on the upper right of calligraphy works, also known as "Suixing chapter", which is in the shape of a stone.

Generally, the chapters that are convenient to engrave are not square, but semicircular, rectangular, circular and semicircular.

Round gourd shape, natural shape and shaw shape are preferred. It depends on whether the first chapter is stamped on the calligraphy work.

Depending on the need, if the first paragraph is too neat, it needs to be "deformed"; The seal at the end of the paragraph is too heavy and needs to be "lifted"

l”； The distribution of seals on the works is monotonous and needs to be "adjusted". At this time, we should consider the first chapter.

2. Edge sealing

Edge-blocking seal refers to a seal covering one side of a calligraphy work, which plays the role of edge-blocking and gas gathering.

3. Corner sealing

A seal on the corner of a calligraphy work is called a corner seal. Take the name "Ying Shou" in the upper right corner twice.

This angle is called "betting angle" Stop the side chapter and take only one side; Corner seals can be used to control both sides and stick to the corners. "

The functions of "blocking the edge and sealing the corner", "filling the void" and adjusting and stabilizing the picture.

Step 4: waist sealing

Long calligraphy works, such as banners, can only be covered with an introductory chapter on the upper right, so there is room in the middle.

With a waist seal, most of the contents are calligraphers' native places, and they can also be printed in Xiao shape by calligraphers' zodiac signs. (grab) the waist

Chapters are smaller than the first chapter and the title chapter at the end of the paragraph, and the three chapters cannot be covered in a straight line.

(3) Collecting seals

Collection identification stamp is a kind of stamp for appreciation collectors. According to records, the seal collection also began in the Tang Dynasty and prevailed after the Song Dynasty.

Tang Taizong wrote "Zhenguan" as Lian Zhuyin, and Tang Xuanzong wrote "Kaiyuan" as Lian Zhuyin.

, are used for the royal collection of paintings and calligraphy. Later, many names appeared in the collection.

Such as collection, collection, identification, appreciation and reading. The seal for collection should be based on the size of calligraphy and painting.

It is important not to damage letters and pictures. Some collectors, for their own immortality, stamp.

Often destroy the picture, which should be guarded against.

A seal on a map of a thousand miles across the country.

Collection seal on Fuyushan residential map

Three. Matters needing attention in stamping

1. Suitable size

The size of the seal should match the size of the work and be equal to the inscription.

Not at all, it can't be bigger than the inscription, but it's indecent. If the words are small, the paper is narrow.

You can use small couplets to print beads, which is very thoughtful.

2. The quantity should be small.

Ancient and odd numbers of seals. There is a seal of "use one without two, use three without four, and cover an odd number".

Number, its meaning of supporting yang and suppressing yin. You can't print too much, too much will be messy or even overwhelming.

Lord.

Be in the right place

Stamping is the last process to complete a work. The right position will add to the icing on the cake.

Inappropriateness will ruin the effect of the whole article.

Step 4 weigh the weight

As far as printing color is concerned, ink is lighter and white is heavier. A beautiful ink painting

Yin Zhu hired to maintain the harmony between the two; For works with strong ink color, white text should be used for printing.

It makes the red ink and black ink form a strong contrast, which sets each other off. If you take a picture.

When using several seals, the printing colors should be primary and secondary, that is, more ink and less white, more white and less ink, so as to have both.

There are changes and coordination.

Consistent style

The style of the seal should be consistent with the style and style of the work. Come straight to the point.

As far as seals are concerned, they should not be printed on neat and beautiful fine print and bold and vigorous calligraphy works.

It is not appropriate to stamp the iron wire seal of Juanxiu Gong Li.