Masterclass: Drawing Moroccan Geometric Patterns (Int/Adv)

Live from Fes, Morocco

A new challenge for Moroccan geometry enthusiasts! In the mosaic-adorned streets of Fes, multidisciplinary VAWAA artist Hamza has found a beautiful new pattern for you to add to your repertoire.

On Saturday October 30th at 11AM EDT, Hamza will be tuning in live from Fes, Morocco. We’ll use compass and ruler to draw the Tnashri bel Loozat (The 12 Fold ft. the Almond Shape). This is a pattern from the Moulay Idriss II Shrine in Fes Medina, one of the holiest sites and is the resting place for the city’s founder, Idriss II.

This pattern has been specially selected for those at an intermediate to advanced level, but participants of all levels are welcome to join the challenge and will find it useful. You can also check out other online sessions by Hamza here.

As always, you’ll meet others in the community from around the world. There will be live Andalusian oud music by Hamza, plenty of time to ask questions, draw together and share. After the session, we’ll have the opportunity to continue discussions and share in the private FB group.

Joining us from a different time zone? Be sure to convert the time.

What you’ll need

A compass, divider, mechanical pencil: 0.5 HB (any), ruler, sheets of paper (A4 or A3), eraser, sharpener, and coloring pencils.

How to join

We’ll be hosting this VAWAA Online on Zoom. We’ll send link and details to join via email 1 day and again 1 hour before it begins.

About Hamza

Hamza is an Andalusian Oud musician, a geometer, brass-smith, bookbinder, paper-maker, and founder of a crafts studio dedicated to Moroccan arts and crafts in Fes. He comes from a multigenerational family of artisans and passing on crafts knowledge is a family culture. He apprenticed under his father and traveled around 15 countries crafting and learning from masters. Now his mission is to continue this legacy and help people around the world connect with old Moroccan crafts. His traditional art revolves around the art of Compass & Ruler. With those two instruments, he draws and traces Moorish and Islamic geometric patterns, etches and engraves them on brass and copper trays and embosses them on leather book covers.

Visit his artist page to learn more about his in-person VAWAA.

Reviews

“Working live with Hamza was truly inspiring. He is an excellent teacher and was also able to ground us with the cultural significance of his art all throughout the lesson.” – Steve

“Mr Hamza is an amazing teacher. He taught in a simple way and he gave a nice historical speech about islamic geometry. I love how he gives variations and different possibilities of the pattern. This opens up our curiosity and nourish our creativity.” – Mona

“Excellent creativity and imagination shown in the works” – Richard

“This class was such an immersive experience. Not only learning a new skill but sharing that with a handful of people from all over the world, right in my living room (well, through a screen). I highly recommend taking the leap.” – Kait

“The surprise moment was when Hamza played this instrument for us after we were done with the pattern making. This made the whole experience personal & real.” – Hitasha

“Well conducted using Zoom enabling us to understand the process and produce an attractive repeating pattern in a short time.” – Sally

“Another amazing two hours spent with Hamza. So much insight and rich cultural context, but also Hamza has a special ability to make the complex and advanced accessible to people of any level.” – Ezra

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Learn more about VAWAA in-person mini apprenticeships

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