Week One: Getting aquainted with letters
Truth is, I never really learned to write.
Although I always held words very highly, I was only taught to equip letters to suit my purpose, and that was usually to jot down information or fill out forms. All my other dealings with words was and continues to be through typing- ordained digital light.
When I joined the Syntax team, I was bombarded with type and calligraphy. Literally speaking. I discovered that there are more details, counters, and curves to letters than what meets the eye. I realized that there are a million ways to describe the way a letter looks. I also realized that I didn’t know much about this world. So when a colleague put up the opportunity to take a four week workshop on Arabic calligraphy with Syrian calligrapher Saleh Nasab, I found myself getting really excited.
I know that four sessions with reeds and ink will not even begin to scratch the surface of Arabic calligraphy, but hey, it’s a start. Watch this space for a weekly photographic recap of two hours spent learning to write.
hussein
April 21, 2008 @ 3:48 pm
great coverage Roba!.. i’m so glad that you joined and enjoined the workshop.. :) many thanx.
Almashkalgy
April 21, 2008 @ 7:26 pm
a pro-Israel group’s plan to rewrite history on Wikipedia
yaseen
April 21, 2008 @ 7:54 pm
Kinda off topic but I like artists, I always try to become friends with artists but I just never have luck, all I end up with is people who watch Japanese cartoon and draw crappy drawings of them.
Dave
April 21, 2008 @ 8:27 pm
I feel ya. I had to learn how to re-write my letters PERFECTLY when I went to university to study architecture. After an hour of writing out the alphabet, the professor would walk by and wad up our paper and make us start over. In hindsight, our attempts were horrendous, but with constant practice, we became absolute pros.
These days, everyone compliments me on my handwriting (even my Arabic script). And those who manage to get a peak at my design journal generally exclaim that the lettering is a “work of art”.
Iman
April 21, 2008 @ 11:32 pm
Kewl… looking forward to the lessons in photos…
LOL @ yaseen … hahaha! :D
mo
April 22, 2008 @ 5:05 pm
i just like the quality of the photos .. what camera are u using if i may ask?