Abstract: Both Su Shi (1037-1101) and Wen Zhengming (1470-1559) were great figures in the history of calligraphy of China. Although divided by more than four centuries, their works show similar origins. Song of the Red Cliff, a representative work of the former in the walking style, circulated in hands of different collectors, and the latter was one of them. At the beginning of the work, 36 characters were missing. Wen Zhengming, imitating the original style of Su Shi, supplemented them in his own hand with a postscript explaining it. Though close to the original characters, the supplemented ones show differences in method, structure, details and line texture at close scrutiny. By comparing the supplemented characters closest to the original ones, this paper attempts to understand how, why and what Wen chose to learn from Su so as to help future calligraphy learners.

Key words: Su Shi, Wen Zhengming, Song to the Red Cliff, supplemented character