Come with me to a faraway land! I want to show you one of the most beautiful and intriguing scripts ever created: early Arabic Kufic. This calligraphy is as bold as modern sculpture and abstract painting. Think Calder. Think Motherwell. By studying these concise, dramatic letters, we can learn a lot about letterform, counterspace, weight and legibility. These sessions are great for anyone interested in striking out into new territory. Even better for logo designers, painters and those hoping to develop new and more personal styles of writing. Part 1 and part 2 together form a very good introduction to my way of teaching calligraphy.

This online course consists of three recorded lessons:

  • One lesson with demonstrations and an assignment for you to do in your own time

  • One illustrated lecture on the history of Arabic and Chinese calligraphy

  • One crit session in which I review a selection of the assignments posted by students

Material list

  • Cola can pen

  • Sumi ink

  • 3 sheets good quality paper with a bit of texture, weight160gm – 220gm  (Rives BFK, Fabriano 5 and Saunders Waterford are good)

Reading tip:

“The Splendour of Islamic Calligraphy” by Abdelkebir Khatibi and Mohammen Sijelmassi or any text on the origins of Islamic calligraphy.