Casa Árabe is hosting this new edition of the “Thuluth” calligraphy course for both beginners and those with some prior knowledge, taught by calligrapher Pablo Casado. During the course, participants will get the chance to become very familiar with the art of Arabic calligraphy in even further depth, including  its different forms in the “thuluth” style (“sülüs” in Turkish), one of the main classical styles in Arabic writing. In addition to learning about the proportions of the letters and rules to be followed, they will learn how to join the letters together and the steps to take in order to produce a final calligraphy work.

The course, which will be taught in Spanish, is open to all members of the public, because no prior knowledge of the Arabic language or any past practice in calligraphy is necessary. It is aimed at those who want to delve into the study of Arabic calligraphy for the first time, as well as those who have already completed the initial course. The teacher will work with them individually, to further advance their knowledge of this style.

Course contents:  
Introduction to traditional teaching methods, both Turkish and Arabic
Introduction to materials and learning to use them properly
Introduction to the letters and their forms through practical calligraphy exercises
Introduction to the different manners of joining letters
Preparation of a final piece or work in accordance with classical models

Materials:
The materials required for the workshop (calligraphic pen, ink and paper) are included in the price for registration, and participants may keep them when the course is over.

Schedule and fee
The course will be held on Saturdays and Sundays, June 19, 20, 26 and 27, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (12 class hours).
The cost of the course is €120 (€100 registration fee + €20 for materials).

How to register
Places are limited to a maximum of 10 people in a large, constantly ventilated classroom in which we respecting those measures recommended by the health authorities (social distancing, hand hygiene and face masks).
Registration is open until June 18 at the bottom of this web page.

Download and share the course information sheet here.

Pablo Casado
Casado was born in Madrid in 1982, the city where he grew up and received his academic training. He always felt a special attraction towards the forms of Arabic calligraphy, but it was not until the year of 2008 that he was able to come into contact with the calligraphic pen for the first time, having attended a brief introductory course on calligraphy in the nesih style. A few days of practice were enough to arouse a great interest towards this form of art in him, and he soon felt the need to receive as much knowledge as possible from a true master who could teach him each and every one of its finer details.
 
It was then that he met the well-known and highly acknowledged calligrapher Nuria García, who would become his mentor and teacher. With her help, he traveled to Istanbul for the first time in the year of 2009, and thanks to her he was able to meet his own masters. That is how he began to complete his first lessons, with their help, and that of master calligrapher (khattat) Davut Bektas, always under the supervision of master Hassan Çelebi.  Approximately two years later, he also began to receive lessons from the khattat master Ferhat Kurlu, who, along with Nuria García, would become one of his most influential teachers.
 
In 2014, after having fully devoted himself to learning this art, he earned hisicazet or calligraphy diploma, in the styles of thuluth and nesih at the IRCICA (Center for Research of Islamic History, Art and Culture). In the end, his diploma was signed by master calligraphers Hassan Çelebi, Ferhat Kurlu and Nuria García.
 
At present, he continues to travel to Istanbul regularly and spends long periods of time there so that he will not lose contact with his masters and to be able to continue learning and perfecting this art.
Pablo Casado’s website.