褚遂良
Most calligraphers agree Yan Zhenqing's early stage lasted until his fifties. During these years, Yan Zhenqing tried out different techniques and started to develop his personal genre. When he was young, he studied calligraphy under the famous calligraphers Zhang Xu and Chu Suiliang. Zhang Xu was skilled in "Cao" Script, which emphasizes the overall composition and flow; Chu Suiliang, on the other hand, was renowned for his graceful and refined "Kai" Script. Yan Zhenqing also drew inspiration from the "Wei Bei" () Style, which originated from Northern nomad minorities and focused on strength and simplicity.