So grateful. As westerner, I can feel the errors of western method, but not speaking or reading Arabic, I had no other resource. Please continue as far as you’re able with these posts.
thank you so much. I have been studying Islamic patterns for a few years now and your videos have changed my way of seeing and analyzing patterns. please continue to share your great wisdom with the world.
Very informative. I thought western ways and traditional ways of drawing patterns were same, until i saw this tutorial. Expecting more tutorials. And thank you for your time and broad mind to get it corrected.
The 'chart' approach is deeply interesting. Your approach begins as a tile where the process of generation IS optimized. This alone reduces computational steps in a generative algorithm. Minimum coding is required for the steps. The tile method is SUPERIOR in many ways. I tend to explore the western and the traditional. I think that the western tries to define a new vocabulary but misses the point why the tile approach is better. I discovered too that such tiles follows the behavior of the 17 planimetric groups. Your approach is strictly algorithmic. Excellent work. Thank you for showing us the original generating pattern. I'm using these in my Grasshopper 3D definitions. I CAN"T use others. But knowing why some mistakes are generated is fascinating too.
thanku so much sir ....very informative video ...I was tangled in Islamic geometry since last one year , but ur video gave me new direction to see the geometry ..thanku so much sir ...u r so pure and original ..
Thank you for your clear explanation of the mathematical relationships within these compositions. I had been struggling with the logic behind many of the structure of these designs. I suspect that part of what I found so confusing was the lack of discussion of how the building blocks relate to one another. Your demonstration of how the shapes shared structural features was an epiphany for me. Thank you! I look forward to learning from your other videos. Thank you so very much for sharing your insights.
I was wondering how to construct a pattern, I'm new to this. I tried following a "western" tutorial and found it way too complicated, considering that these patterns were painted in buildings. I was trying to come up with a solution on my own (I'm an engineer), but this video sums it up, I thought originally that it wasn't the best idea to start "by the centre" of the pattern (with a full circle) because it tends to make it less repeatable. By drawing the pattern "off the centre" it makes it like a stamp that you can replicate easily. Thank you for sharing this, it has immense value. Greetings from Chile!
Geometric patterns, as the Arab know, are stars come to earth, drops of joy, the unfoldment of our heart. The divine kisses our forehead, we are kissed by the sight of precision & by the simplicity of form. This is not complex art.... or beyond our grasp. It is what we see when we let it all unfold. Baraka
Salam aliaka ya Sayyidi....... You have just shown me how difficult, complex and mysterious is drawing an Arabic geometric pattern. Every single line unfolds a different story. So whenever next time I see a broken piece of stone from a mosque or any old muslim sculptures with such, impossible for me even on paper, pattern carved on it, I will stand there for a minute or two in reverence to pay respect to our brilliant, patient, and hardworking ancestors.......... Eventually I have also decided that when I build my home, I will extensively but wisely use these Arabic patterns. Thank you very much for bringing this hidden treasure to Us. Allah bless you and, do Maghfirah of ur late forefathers. Salam ya Sayyidi.!- SheesAhmed Bin AbdulMajid
Thank you very much for sharing your wisdom brother and for being able to translate it so well in english, im really looking forward to studying all your videos.
Thank you for making these videos. It's wonderful to see the internal relationships of the shapes and to learn the traditional methods. Do you have any books on this subject?
Thank my friend The internal relation is only the start. The relation between the shapes and the perimeter is far more sophisticated. Watch the new video.ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ubMHlhQZYDc.html
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with the world, this is by far the best video I have seen about geometric patterns. Do you have references about the old books that tell us about the relations between mathematicians and craftsmen? Would the book by Abu'l Wafa al- Buzajani be one of those? Best Regards from Brazil.
Thank you Pedro for your kind comment, the problem with the original references is that it’s hidden in museums, and what I have seen are only fragments. The original work of the Buzajani was in Arabic. But I think the manuscript that survives is a translation of his book in Old Persian. All the information I presenting here I learnt from my father. Anyway, watch my new video on this link. You will more fascinating relationships. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ubMHlhQZYDc.html
Do you think you could possibly make a tutorial on how to create something like the scroll that you unrolled in this video? How to do a continuous geometric pattern that evolves into a more intricate pattern.
"Thank you very much to share with us". Muchas gracias por compartir esto con nosotros. Respetuosamente que Dios lo bendiga . Arq. Juan r. Dalmau , Puerto Rico .
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom. I'm in love with "Arabic geometric design" and it's patterns resonate deeply within me! You inspired me to start drawing, which I did by following your tutorials. I especially appreciate the fact that you draw from the traditional and non-western perspective! So here's my question: can you recommend a manual book that is from the traditional instead of Western perspective? I'd like to further my interest in this. I looked at purchasing the book "Geometric Concepts in Islamic Art" by El-Said, Issam, but since its western method based I decided to not purchase it.
Thank you dear Gavin Manthe, I would forget buying any book for now, you can join my facebook group (Geometric Patterns Art School). There are several step by step pdf tutorials and every ten days I post new one. facebook.com/groups/zakhrafa.school/
Thank you so much for sharing your precious knowledge! I'm fascinated by Islamic arts and always love it. I've been studying how to draw by Illustrator since I watch your video and joined your facebook. Looking forward to more tutorials.
As Salamu alaikum. I am learning to draw geometric patterns now. I would like to know when your book will come out insha Allah. Thank you showing us how the true craftsmen did their work.
Thank you Farzana. I can’t say when exactly but I hope soon. In the mean time you can watch more videos on my channel. ru-vid.com/show-UCliRTDLm_NFjzK-Ow1n1j8Q
Thank you very much for sharing this with us. I m from Hong Kong and I really wanna learn this and I dont know how to start, there is no book or lesson about Islamic geometric art in here.
thank you for reply, I join the Facebook group already, thank you for accepting me to the group. As there are many tutorials in the file, may I know which one is for the very beginner like me?
3:34 in my opinion, the grid method in this pattern is more suitable i mean think about it. The classical method lets you to draw one-fourth part of the pattern, but by using the grid method we can draw the full pattern quickly... Its just an opinion
Hina Akram, in practice you only need a quarter of the pattern, plus the grid method can leads you to the wrong proportion. I proved it in several patterns constructed by Eric Broug. His method is simply inadequate to deal with very simple patterns. Therefore it is certainly would not work with complicated patterns.
Thanks so much for sharing your traditional knowledge, perhaps you should write a book to help Westerners who love and appreciate the sophistication of Islamic Geometric Design.
Thank you Ed for your kind comment, and yes I am preparing for a book (in fact it will be an encyclopaedia) for the Arabic geometric art. Up to now I catalogued detailed drawings for more than 300 fourfold different patterns, it will also include similar numbers of fivefold and six fold patterns, all from very famous monuments around the world.
I don't think most Westerners really understand or appreciate the wisdom and sophistication of Islamic mathematics and geometry: "Algebra", accounting technique, Fibonacci sequence, Fractal geometry ("discovered" by Benoit Mandelbro in the 1980's, was being used in Islamic tile designs in the 1400's in the Alhambra!), all gifts from Islam! Praise Allah! Eric Broug's work helped a lot, I've looked at virtually all the English language books on Islamic geometry, and Eric's books are the best yet. And all you need is a compass, a straight edge, and a pen and pencil. All the people using computers miss the beautiful simplicity of the traditional way.
I am sorry to say that Keith Critchlow, Essam Elsaid and more recently Eric Broug fell into the same trap (the trap of the Grid) and drawing the patterns in open area. I have books by all of them and the method used by them is just like (hit and miss), they might get few simple patterns correct, but they also get very simple patterns wrong. They do not understand that creating complicated patterns depend on getting the simple pattern right. The method must be consistent and correct every time. The idea that a grid can help in constructing the pattern is simply incorrect. These grids become visible only after you colour the pattern, not before you start designing the pattern. There are many mistakes in these books, Just recently I pointed a mistake made by Eric on this link. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xcGXLlTmd8g.html and thank you again Ed
Thank you for video. I know this paterns are from orient yes.. could you please explain to me how to actually draw the figures and pattersns .... Thank you
الاخت اولا هذه الكتب قدية ولا اعتقد انها موجودة في المكتبات والاهم من ذلك فان هذه الكتب فيها الكثير من الاخطاء ولا تنفع لتعلم الزخرفة الهندسية اذا احببت متابعة الفديو بالعربي سجلي في بوابة الخط العربي alkatat.org/forum.php وستجدين ما ينفعك
اخي محمد معك قصي من سوريا انا بلشت بمجال الرسم الزخرفي مؤخرن بتمنى تعطيني رقم تلفونك حابب اتواصل معك محاضراتك كثير مهمي بالنسبي الي بس عبواجه صعوبات كبيري بهذا لمجال وما لقيت شخص فنان بهذا لمجال متلك بتمنى تعطيني رقمك
عزيزي قصي, لا استطيع وضع رقم تلفوني هنا لاسباب معروفة. الحل ان تسجل في صفحة الفيسبوك على الرابط ادناه: facebook.com/groups/zakhrafa.school/ ومن خلال الفيسبوك مسنجر يمكنك التواصل معي وشكرا.
God bless you! I have heard that the true methods of making these patterns have been kept secret because it is supposed to be reserved for those who are spiritual enuf to construct them. I respect this view. So, I am wondering why this is being revealed to the general public. Has the proliferation of bad geometry become such an offense to the eye and insult to the Name of Islam that the need for Correct representation has forced the disclosure of traditional methods to some who may not be worthy of their use? How do you balance these needs? Many Traditional cultures are having the same kind of experience. Native Americans are upset because White Americans who admire Native Spirituality are acting as if they know how and when to express it and they make money for themselves doing so. This is a terrible offense to many Traditionalists and I respect their anguish. These designs are so beautiful and communicate unspeakable unity, order and harmony in the Universe as it is made by God. I've heard that this unity, order and harmony is to bless all beings, and not only those who speak, dress and act in certain ways. I'm hoping this is true even as I hope to become worthy of beholding them. 🙇♀️
That's what everyone says, but this art originated in the Arab countries and from there spread in other Muslim countries. Therefore it is an Arabic Art.
I believe it is more appropriate to call these patterns Islamic instead of Arabic. at least the manuscript you show on 5:37 is written in Farsi AKA Persian which is not a language spoken by arabs. this knowledge belongs to a more vast cultural universe draw from west China to north Africa and eastern Europe.
Dear Farbod Thank you for your comment. I agree that this art was used by many Muslim nations. But there is plenty of evidence that support my claim. First, the oldest artefact that contains refined geometric patterns was found in Iraq Syria and Egypt. This dates back between the second half of the eight century and the beginning of the ninth century. On the other hand the earliest ever found in other countries date back to the tenth or the eleventh century. Second, most of the patterns used outside the Arab countries are in fact the very basic patterns. In fact most of the patterns used outside the Arab countries were limited number of the basic fivefold patterns and very few of the fourfold and the six fold. The only exception to that is in Mughal India. And even in Mughal India they made many mistake. On the other hand, most if not all the complicated, compound and sophisticated patterns of all kinds exist in the Arab countries. Third, yes the manuscript written in Farsi, but this is not the original book of Al Buzjani, this manuscript is a translation of Al Buzjani, in fact Al Buzjani wrote all his books in Arabic, even in this Farsi translation all the terms and expression connected with this art is in Arabic, even the title of this manuscript is in Arabic. This is a very small sample of the evidence that this is an Arabic art, but it was adopted by other Muslim nations.
My dear friend. thank you for the nice reply. I have learnt from you and we both know what it means in both our cultures. so, I'm not gonna start an altercation with you over Arab or Persian supremacy or any thing like that. on contrary I'm gonna accept your reasoning although i might not believe in it. in return I only ask you to read thin without prejudice. first of all the problem starts between us when we start to make a point.... there is no point to make when it comes to cultural heritage to do with new nationalism or Arab supremacy or what ever we call it. remember there was time, not very long ago, when there was no Iran, no Iraq and no Syria... let alone A.U.E and.....the history of middle east is so crooked which makes it impossible to determine surely for example if Baqdad is a Sassanid or Abbasid city or even belongs to an era much before any of these. and second, no matter how many times people try to change the name of this body of water or that river or other mountain. history remains intact. there is no eraser in the world (not yet at least) by which you be able to erase Isfahan or Herat or Delhi or Bukhara from the history of Islamic Arts. and lastly when you talk about Islamic geometry and Algebra and so on.... you might want to but it is impossible to ignore Farabi, Birooni, Khayam of Nishapour and Ibn sina and.... and check their biographies and check the geography. none of them were arab although they have written in arabic. human beings are brothers and sister. there is no nationality or religion or anything else that can ignore that for ever. human heritage belongs to all. peace and love.
My friend Farbod I assure you that my reply did not stem from any kind of prejudice. You pointed out your opinion in your comment and I simply pointed out the reason why I call it Arabic geometric pattern. You do not have to agree with me. And on the contrary I really believe that the most fruitful civilisation is the mixed culture civilisation . All of us should be proud of the names you mentioned whether they were Arabs Persian Turks Amazigh or any other nation or religion. Some of them were not even Muslims like Hunayn ibn Ishaq, he was a Christian. This is not the only disputed subject. For example, some people tend to call calligraphy by (Islamic Calligraphy) and others call it (Arabic Calligraphy). I do not think calling it Arabic Calligraphy will deny the contribution of other nations. Thank you again and best regards
