Taught by Richard Henry, this ‘post-beginner’/intermediate workshop is suitable for those with some experience of constructing patterns with compass and straight edge. It is open to beginners, but if you are new to this discipline it would be advisable to start with earlier workshops in this series.

Patterns based upon 5 and 10-fold symmetry are among the most beautiful and subtle found within Islamic art. This week we will be recreating the rare 20-fold rosette design which appears in Alhambra museum (first header image & image below) and in select locations in Morocco. There will be a brief contextual slide lecture and each student will receive a video recording of the workshop, together with PDF handouts and a additional supporting material. Although this can be taken as a stand-alone workshop, we will build upon themes introduced in earlier workshops in this series which can be downloaded from our archive.  (Scroll through gallery in banner above to see images of historical 10-fold designs and former students’ work ).

REQUIRED equipment & materials

• A compass (recommended compass is the Rotring Master Bow)
• A ruler
• Cartridge paper, 3 sheets – A2 size if possible (A3 size minimum) ideally heavy weight (150gsm plus)
• Range of Pencils (6B-4H)
• Tracing paper
• Masking Tape
• Zero Eraser or equivalent
• Scissors
• Optional – Coloured pencils.
• Optional – Fine line drawing pens (useful to have, but not essential)