3 Week Series: Drawing Advanced Moroccan Patterns

Two hours is not enough to learn advanced Moroccan Geometric patterns. After a successful first run, here's our format for deeper dives. In this 3 week series, each session will be 3.5 hour long with a 30min break in between. 

For three consecutive Saturdays starting March 19th, with Hamza as your guide, you'll discover and learn how to draw 3 geometric patterns found in various historic landmarks throughout the city.

This 3 week series is ideal for intermediate 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.

If you are not in EST time zone, be sure to convert the time. 

Session 1: March 19th 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM EST

In the first session, we'll be learning how to draw the pattern Taghyira Tnashri bel Loozat: A Changing Variation of the 12 Fold ft. the Almond shape from the 9th Century al-Quaraouiyen University/Mosque.

Session 2: March 26th 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM EST

In the second session, we'll be learning how to draw the pattern al-Ankaboutiya bou Mnikher Mashrook: The Spiderwebbed ft. the Squashed Little Nosed shape from the 14th Century Bou Inania Madrasa.

Session 3: April 2nd 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM EST

In the final session, we'll be learning how to draw the pattern Maasher moul Ain Shams: The Sun-Eyed 10 Fold from the 14th Century Bou Inania Madrasa.

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 a geometer, brass-smith, bookbinder, an Andalusian Oud musician, 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

"This was the perfect class for someone who knows the basics and wants to move on to more advanced patterns. I’ve used books and YouTube videos to learn Moroccan Geometry, but Hamza provides the clearest instructions, plus a little history, details about the traditions of the craft, and sometimes beautiful Oud music." - Beth

"Hamza is always kind and patient with anyone who is struggling. His knowledge is complete, not just in the process he is teaching but also in the culture and history of Morocco, which makes the class so rewarding beyond just learning a new skill." - Laurel

"I love Hamza’s teaching of Moroccan geometries. His process is logical and helps one build on the knowledge of the session on challenge exercises. Teaching such complexity over a zoom call is a talent of its own." - Jyotika

"The two hours with a fantastic teacher flew by! I'd recommend it if you get the chance!" - Ezra

"It’s addicting!" - Candy

"Being able to participate in the Moroccan Geometric Patterns workshop with Hamza was educational and inspiring. Not only was his teaching wonderful but getting to hear him play the oud was a treat every week. My classmates were also inspiring and I hope to take more classes with Hamza in the future... perhaps one day in Morocco." - Tania

"Excellent, Excellent, Excellent! Hamza is a wonderful--and very patient--teacher, who guided students to learn and successfully create designs we thought impossible to master." - Nicole

"Incredible! So great to start to learn how to construct Moroccan geometry designs and how the craft integrates with the country's history and language." - Karen

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