About
Calligraphy was always prized in the Ottoman Court and thus inscriptions of remarkable strength emerged from this period. The manuscripts of 18th Century Calligrapher Mehmed Shawqi Effendi from the Ottoman School will be used as examples for the workshop.
The fluid style of thuluth ranks as one of the most popular scripts of choice for aesthetic expression due to its versatility and endless creativity. Thuluth is a proportioned script based on the principles of past masters. A rhomboid dot is used to measure each letter shape. The oblique angle of the pen (qalam) lends itself to the aesthetics of producing thick and thin angles. To control the flowing line whilst maintaining balance, elegance and harmony is a great achievement of artistic expression. Thuluth’s popularity is expressed in text, poems and aphorisms and inscriptions are found in various mediums; architecture, manuscripts, metalwork, glass, wood, textiles and ceramics .
The workshop is a practical introduction to the script and provides participants a step-by-step guide to writing the Arabic letters according to the thuluth proportion system. Students will be shown how to construct each letter through basic strokes and learn the traditional practice, tools and materials used for thuluth.
Key Information
Who is this course for?
All levels of ability and experience are welcome. You must be aged 18 or over to participate in our programmes.
What days/times do I attend?
Monday – Friday, 9 – 13 June 2025, 10:00 – 16:30
How many students can attend?
14 people
Where will this course take place?
This course will take place at our studios at The King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts, 19-22 Charlotte Road, London EC2A 3SG.
What should I bring to class?
All materials are provided on this course.
Wear comfortable clothing that you do not mind getting slightly messy. Avoid wearing baggy clothing (especially sleeves), loose jewellery, high heels or open-toed shoes.
FAQs
Do you offer concessions?
Yes, we offer concessions for full-time students and Seniors/60+.
Concessions cannot be applied in retrospect. To receive a concession, please apply via our online form. We will then send you a discount code to use when booking your space.
Terms & Conditions
The School reserves the right to discontinue or suspend a Course up to fourteen (14) calendar days before the advertised start date of the Course. This course requires a minimum number of enrollments to run.
The School may take and use images of you and/or your work for course advertisement and social media purposes.
Our normal terms and conditions apply.
Tutor Biography
Gulnaz Mahboob is a London based calligrapher and tutor. She is part of the 500 year chain of Ottoman calligraphers. She began her classical training in Islamic calligraphy in 2005 in Istanbul with the renowned Turkish grand master, Hasan Çelebi.
In 2012 she was awarded the Ijazah in the thuluth and naskh scripts. Having received her Ijazet she has become part of a continuum of more than 10 centuries of calligraphic tradition and is thus a transmitter of this living tradition in the UK. Her background in anthropology offers fresh perspective on what is a dynamic bond that is established between the letters, the student, the master and the repetitive practices.
