An Introduction to Arabic Calligraphy

Over 300 images illustrate step-by-step basic strokes to practice 7 major Arabic calligraphy styles, from Kufic to Maghrebi, and how to create art from 28 letters. 

With a photo-rich teaching method that's welcoming to everyone, this introduction helps you use ink and a qalam—a traditional reed pen—to create flowing, timelessly decorative lines of Arabic script.

The book begins with the history behind this art that decorates writings and architecture worldwide. Master calligrapher Alani next shows you how to choose the materials and prepare your tools. After a quick introduction to how the Arabic language works, he guides you through exercises to help you successfully write the 28 Arabic letters, join them together, and finally assemble them into phrases.

Once you have mastered the basics, explore creating graphic compositions in each of seven major styles (Kufic, Thuluth, Naskh, Persian, Turkish, Riqa, and Maghrebi). Sometimes it takes years to be able to decipher a composition, but meanwhile, you can enjoy its aesthetic beauty.

This guide helps beginners, like centuries of people before them, create graceful, meaningful art from words.

Ghani Alani's work is in museums worldwide, and is featured in several films. Born in Iraq, he holds the Ijazé (calligraphy diploma) from H. el Badadi, grand master of the School of Baghdad, and H. el Hamedi, master of the School of Turkey.