The art of Calligraphy

^^ 'Hikmet' ^^ (one of my practice writings)

One thing that completely impresses me is anything handy, such as carpentry, cooking, embroidery, and in what will be today's focus: calligraphy. I absolutely love to be able to write beautifully, dipping a quill in an ink. Well, one of my challenges this summer was to make time for some calligraphy lessons. Today I am going to share a bit about the six major script types in the Arabic art of calligraphy. During my grade years, we were taught the two major styles: Naskh and Riq'a of which I would have to say Riq'a to be the hardest.

1. Naskh : this is the most common type of script in the Arabic writing. Most of the published Qur'ans are written in this style as it is more "rhythmic, legible and clear". The words are more proportionately written above and below the mid line. It is said that this style of writing was developed during the 10th century.
2. Kufi : this type of writing, considered to have preceded the Naskh, is more "angular and square". It was mostly suitable for engraving it on stones and wood. It also "appears on the earlies surviving Qur'an manuscripts".
   
3. Riq'a : In this type of script, the letters are "rounded and densely structured" giving it a similarity to Thuluth and Naskh but distinct and simple. It is the "most common hand writing" styles in the Arab world.
4. Thuluth : Is one of the most widely used ornamental writing style. This script does resemble Kufi cursives, but is distinct in that the letter are more curved unlike the "angular and square" way of Kufic style.
5. Taliq : This type of writing which is also known as "Farsi" or "Nastaliq" does resemble Riq'a only that it displays longer lines. It is most popular in Iran, India and Pakistan.
6. Deewani : Is undoubtedly one of the most complex style of writing. Its letters are "undotted and unconventionally joined together".

For more in-depth information and further reference of these Arabic calligraphy styles and more you can check here and here.
As for me, we'll go by the saying "Practice makes Perfect".