- Hi everybody, tonight I would like to show you how Chinese artists created seals after the Ming Dynasty. I started to learn this skill in my second year in the calligraphy club of NTU. It`s insteresting, and it`s a good choice when I have to prepare special gifts.
- In this presentation, I`ll show you the tools that help me create seals. And how I design them, how to prepare stone, cutting & signing. Then I`ll show you some creations made by me.
- Generally, we need an engraver to cut stones and make a singature. Then use "blue bar" to shine stone after finishing all of the work. After all of the work, We use the seal & inkpad to create a picture on paper.
- This is one of my inkpads. There are many kinds of ink for artists. They are all different colors & prices. In the back of the inkpad is my inkstab where I make my ink for brush.
- The history of Chinese is longer than 4000 years. So we have many types of characters. We usually use a specail set of characters for seal. But we don`t use that today. So I need a dictionary to check the character before designing my seal.
- There are many good creations made by past artists, and they are a good reference to learn how to design a good seal.
- After checking the dictionary, I start to paint sketch on paper. There are many ways to change the final result, like : To use different writing style or method. To change the position of characters.
- Before cutting, I have to make one of the stone surfaces completely plane with sand paper. And make a sketch on a special paper with a Chinese brush. There are many shining dots on this kind of paper, so we name it "cicadas wing".
- Firstly, adhere sketch paper & stone by water.
- Put another paper as a protective layer.
- Scrape the paper with your fingernail.
- Remove all the paper, and some of the sketch ink will remain on the stone surface. Now we can cut the stone according to these lines.
- But lazy Ironhead usually makes the surface sketch by pencil.
- It`s dangerous without any other tools. Don`t try this when you are unfamilier with seal cutting.
- After completeing the main seal surface. It`s time to sign your creations. We usually explain why we make the seal by signature.
- To sign is another interesting work if I can make beautiful characters.
- There are 2 methods to rub the signature. But as you know, Ironhead is lazy, so I`ll show you the easiest way. Simply put a paper on the surface, then scrape with a crayon.
- Now you know when & why I made this one. I started to make this when I was in 成功嶺. And completed it when my station was changed to 新竹.
- Here are some creations I made before.
