What do copying and tracing mean respectively

The process of imitating calligraphy and paintings according to the original work is called copying. Pro, according to the original writing or painting; copy, is a thin paper (silk) masked in the original above writing or painting. The broad sense of copying, the imitation is not necessarily the words and paintings, but also may be a monument, post and so on. Copying in order to learn the techniques, focusing on the process of copying. For preservation, restoration, exhibition, sale and obtain copies, focusing on the results of copying.

Tracing is the traditional method of character learning in China, which refers to copying on the paper printed with red characters or hollow red characters, and it is one of the best training methods for the beginners to learn how to write. In the past, when practicing brush lettering, it was red characters, every other page was red standard regular characters, above a thin transparent paper, practicing calligraphers tracing that red characters, called tracing red.

Expanded information:

Production and imitation have their own strengths and weaknesses. Especially in calligraphy, the ancients said: "Pro easy to lose the position of the ancients, but more to get the ancients of the pen; copy the position of the ancients, but more to lose the ancients of the pen." This means that it is easy to learn the strokes, but it is not easy to learn the structure of the frame; it is easy to learn the structure of the frame, but it is not easy to learn the strokes. From the degree of difficulty, copying is easy and difficult. Whether it is a copy or an imitation, the goal is to "resemble" the model character, and to gradually move from "resemblance" to "resemblance".

Learning Technique

Learning technique is mainly focused on the process, when practicing calligraphy, it is best to combine pro and copy, each to promote its strengths, and each to avoid its weaknesses. In addition, but also often read post, carefully observe, analyze, experience, can be read while using the hands of the "empty pro". As long as more effort, the ability to read and write will naturally increase, the beauty of calligraphy is also a deeper experience.

In addition, for the preservation, restoration, exhibition and sale of copies, focusing on the results of copying. Therefore, the copy has the nature of commodity. It has been passed down to the world and has given rise to complex issues such as forgery and forgeries. In countries all over the world, copying has always been the main way and means to learn classical calligraphy or painting techniques, and to learn from and inherit the best traditions.

Baidu Encyclopedia - Copying

Baidu Encyclopedia - Tracing