Handwriting Arabic Script

[antikva]

Hi!

 

A couple of weeks ago, I started learning Arabic and I'm almost done learning the alphabet. However, there's a couple of things I've never got my head around with the script, such as what height the letters should take and what slant. It confuses me that final د seems to take a different slant than ا, which seems to take a different slant than initial/medial ك for example.

 

Is there anywhere I can see exactly what proportions and slant the letters should have?

 

(I have more questions, but I'll start with this one.)

[Ghost Plane]

If you hunt further down in this forum, SMK has a thread full of How To videos. I think the thread was Learning to Write Arabic

[basterma]

Do a search for "writing Arabic Calligraphy" on Youtube. I learned it when in Middle School and didn't write it long enough to acquire a decent handwriting, otherwise I'd help you out. My handwriting looks like that of a fifth grader... Good Luck with it. When you are more comfortable with it, look into taking courses at The American University in Cairo. They have a good (but pricey) programme at their Arabic Learning Institute.

[smk]

Welcome to FPN antikva. We have a few members who can write Arabic here so you'll get good feedback.

 

GP - thanks for reminding me of that thread - it generated some interest for a while. Here it is for anyone interested: Learn to write Arabic.

 

antikva - the letter combinations can be a bit tricky. The typical progression of learning to write Arabic is to learn the individual letters, followed by each letter in the initial form joined to all remaining letters and finally to forming small words. This usually is enough to give one a good understanding of how the ligatures are formed. I'm afraid I cannot give you a general answer for the differing slant on 'daal' and 'alif' - the 'daal' looks similar to a '>' sign joined near the middle. If the top part is straightened, it will look like a 'raa'.

 

Riqa, although a calligraphic script, is a good foundation for Arabic handwriting. You might find this workbook useful in giving you an idea of how to join letters: Riqa workbook on Scribd.

 

Feel free to ask about specific joins if they are giving you trouble and I will be happy to help.

 

- Salman

[Kandil]

Hello ,

 

You will find good examples in this site www.arabic-calligraphy.com

 

Regards

 

Ahmed Kandil

[sintein]

 

This series of videos كيف تحسن خطك بالقلم العادي is great for learning how to write Arabic like a native/adult. I recommend them to everybody who asks me how to write normally.

[sidthecat]

Kufic script is beautiful but I think you need special nibs for it.