Introduction to Tezhip

Tezhip is the Turkish word meaning “ornamenting with gold” and is used to represent the Ottoman tradition of beautifying calligraphy. Renowned professor of Tezhip, Dr. Çiçek Derman, once said, “If the aim of the Hattat (calligrapher) is to write the Holy Qur’an in his best handwriting, the aim of the Tezhip artist is to illuminate it to express what is in their heart.” In the Introduction to Tezhip class, students will be exploring the basic techniques and materials used by Tezhip artists.

Fatma Ulusoy Hoca has been studying Tezhip with Tezhip master Ayşe Gülcan Özbalak since 2015. Her work has adorned the compositions of several master calligraphers and she has participated in multiple tezhip exhibitions.

Introduction to Tezhip

General Curriculum:

Week 1: Border patterns

Week 2: Circular border patterns

Week 3: Staining and preparing paper

Week 4: Munhani motifs – drawing and transferring

Week 5: Painting munhani

Week 6: Leaf motifs and brushstrokes

Week 7: Hatai motifs and brushstrokes

Week 8: Sazyolu motifs

Week 9: Transferring motifs and haklar painting technique

Week 10: Creating a halkar work

Week 11: Preparing gold

Week 12: Classic tezhip design

Week 13: Şemse (shem-se) motifs

Week 14: Gold shading and contouring

The motifs and skills will be introduced and practiced once; mastery will come later when one joins the Şah Kulu Tezhip Apprenticeship Program. All projects in the Introduction to Tezhip class must be