Learn
Eight lessons in order. Each one adds a single constraint, so the geometry you learn early still holds when you reach full compositions.
Introduction to Kufic
What distinguishes Kufic from cursive Arabic hands: angularity, horizontal baseline dominance, and architectural discipline.
Understanding the Grid
The unit square is the fundamental unit of measurement. Every stroke width, counter, and gap is an exact integer multiple of it.
Basic Geometric Units
Four fundamental moves generate almost every Kufic letter: the vertical bar, the baseline riser, the corner turn, and the stepped descender.
Arabic Letter Structure
Understanding how the Arabic writing system functions: consonantal armatures, diacritical points, and the 4 positional forms.
Constructing Letters
Building all 28 letters as modular forms on the 7x7 grid, organized by geometric families.
Connecting Letters
Joins are geometric decisions: where the baseline continues unbroken, where it turns, and where it must stop.
Building Words
Fitting words into fixed geometric bounding fields: proportional stretching (Kashida), balancing density, and managing negative space.
Creating Kufic Compositions
Designing complete square panels (Murabba' / Banna'i) and friezes: 4-fold rotational symmetry, interlocking paths, and reading order.