Introduction to Arabic Calligraphy: Maghrebi Script
A course by Maaida NoorArtist and Calligrapher
A course by Maaida Noor, Artist and Calligrapher
Uncover the art of ancient Arabic calligraphy and create beautifully balanced compositions which convey hope, love, and light
Discover the connection between hand and heart with the meditative practice of Arabic calligraphy. Artist and calligrapher Maaida Noor uses calligraphy to fulfill her need to create aesthetically beautiful artwork. She has worked for brands including Christian Dior, Jo Malone, Estée Lauder, and Selfridges. She has also been recognized at the British Muslim Awards in the category for Art and Culture Awareness.
In this course, Maaida takes you step-by-step through the process of creating the Arabic alphabets using the Maghrebi script. Learn about the rich history and significance behind Arabic calligraphy, before using a traditional reed pen and dot system to form words and sentences on the page.
What will you learn in this online course?
18 lessons & 17 downloads
History of Arabic Calligraphy
13 minutes, 42 seconds
Course Materials and Tools
8 minutes, 23 seconds
Preparing the Tools
12 minutes, 42 seconds
How to Use a Reed Pen
6 minutes, 56 seconds
The Dot System
7 minutes, 31 seconds
The Letters: Alif, Baa, Jeem, Daal 1
9 minutes, 14 seconds
What's included in this course?
Begin by getting to know your teacher, Maaida. She takes you through her journey to becoming an artist and achieving harmony between the mind, body, and soul through years of practice. Find out how she uses culture, poetry, nature, and more to inspire her work.
Learn about the transformation of Arabic writing into an art form and, in particular, the history behind the Maghrebi script. Look at the materials used in this course, from a traditional reed pen to ink mixer, then prepare your tools and learn how to look after your calligraphy kit. Familiarize yourself with the dot system which is used to achieve balance in Arabic calligraphy.
Pick up your reed pen and start writing the letters. Maaida teaches you how to write each Arabic letter in the Maghrebi al Mabsoot script with precise measuring units. She focuses on the structure of each letter to achieve harmony and balance by using knowledge of the dot system.
Explore diacritic marks and how they are placed around letters to indicate sound and movement. Then learn how to write them using a reed pen. Finally, use your knowledge of the letters and their underlying structure to join them together to form words and sentences with the help of Maaida’s templates.
What is this course's project?
Write the joined form of the Maghrebi alphabets using the traditional reed pen.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is for anyone interested in learning the meditative art of Arabic Calligraphy.
Requirements and materials
No previous experience is needed for this course.
For materials, you will need a reed pen, an inkwell, calligraphy paper, silk threads (likka), and a straightedge and HB pencil. An A4 foam board is optional.
Reviews
- 1 year ago
ممتاز
- 2 years ago
It's a shame that we didn't see in the video of the material, the cutting of the tip of the reed pen in degrees because it seems to me that each style of calligraphy has its cutting angle.
- 2 years ago
Easy to understand and easy to follow
- 2 years ago
a humble person and her method of teaching is amazing.
- 2 years ago
Love it!
Maaida is known for her signature contemporary style and has worked for brands including Christian Dior, Jo Malone, Estee Lauder, Molten Brown, and Selfridges. She also won the British Muslim Award for Art and Culture Awareness in 2017.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
History and Preparation
- History of Arabic Calligraphy
- Course Materials and Tools
- Preparing the Tools
- How to Use a Reed Pen
- The Dot System
- U3
Writing the Alphabet in Maghrebi Script
- The Letters: Alif, Baa, Jeem, Daal 1
- The Letters: Alif, Baa, Jeem, Daal 2
- The Letters: Raa, Seen, Saad, Twa 1
- The Letters: Raa, Seen, Saad, Twa 2
- The Letters: Ayn, Faa, Qaaf, Kaaf
- The Letters: Laam, Laam Alif, Meem, Noon, Waw 1
- The Letters: Laam, Laam Alif, Meem, Noon, Waw 2
- The Letters: Haa, Yaa, Hamza
- U4
A Final Composition
- Diacritics in Maghrebi Style
- Joining the Letters 1
- Joining the Letters 2
- FP
Final project
- Introduction to Arabic Calligraphy: Maghrebi Script
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FAQs
Maghrebi script is a distinctive style of Arabic calligraphy from North Africa, featuring rounded letterforms and unique proportions. It is recognized for its bold strokes and use of the dot system for precise measurement.
This course is designed for intermediate learners with some prior knowledge of Arabic calligraphy basics. Beginners may find it challenging unless they have foundational experience with calligraphic tools and techniques.
You’ll need a reed pen (qalam), calligraphy ink, an inkpot, traditional paper, chalk to remove grease, and sandpaper for pen finishing. The course covers preparation of these materials in detail.
Yes, the course teaches how to make handmade calligraphy ink, sharpen and shape a reed pen, and prepare all essential tools for Maghrebi script practice.
You will be able to write the full Arabic alphabet in Maghrebi script, use the dot system for proportions, prepare traditional tools, and create balanced compositions combining calligraphy with illumination and watercolor techniques.
The dot system uses small, consistent dots as units to measure letter height, width, and spacing, ensuring uniform proportions and balanced compositions in Maghrebi script.
Basic familiarity with the Arabic alphabet is helpful, but the course focuses on visual and structural aspects of the script, making it accessible to non-fluent speakers interested in calligraphy.