It is possible to say that calligraphy is the creation of abstract beauty using concrete tools. Essentially, calligraphy is the art of writing beautiful text using Arabic letters. It is known as Hüsn-i hat or Hüsn-ü hat and means “beautiful writing” in Turkish. It can be encountered on different materials such as paper, stone, wood, fabric, etc. The calligraphy created using Arabic letters began to gain a calligraphic and aesthetic identity approximately in the 9th century. Towards the 13th century, the calligraphy types known as Aklam-ı Sitte in the Islamic art tradition and as Sülüs, Nesih, Reyhanî, Muhakkak, Tevkî and Rikâ were bound to certain principles and the basic rules of calligraphy were established. The art of illumination is a branch of art that emerged in order to express the high spiritual value of valuable documents and plates such as decrees, warrants and Quranic verses. Tezhip, a Persian word, means to decorate with gold. The main material used in the art of illumination is gold. The aesthetic and spiritual values of illumination works are quite high. It is possible to find many books on these two branches of art. Calligraphy books, calligraphy books, famous calligraphy books, tezhip Works such as art books and calligraphy sample books are books that must be in the libraries of people who are interested in these two branches of art. Now, let’s take a brief look at our article where we give brief information about the arts of calligraphy and illumination and talk about books belonging to these branches of art.
What is Calligraphy?
Calligraphy, which consists of the harmony of letters, lines and dots, is a harmonious form of writing. This beautiful form of writing, also called Hüsn-ü hat (beautiful writing), is done by calligraphers. The fact that it does not have any rigid rules has made this art the center of everyone’s attention. This art, which is performed on paper, porcelain and even fabrics, expresses the symbolization of letters and putting them in an aesthetic form. This art, which looks like a flashy embroidery when looked at from the outside, is mainly composed of meaningful texts.
Calligraphy, which means writing, path and path, develops on the basis of putting writings in shapes that will gain aesthetic value. In other words, the main material in calligraphy is actually a meaningful word or sentence. Calligraphy requires both talent and imagination to bring letters together into an aesthetic whole. Calligraphers use their creativity to integrate letters with various lines, tails and rings and bring them together in a way that will convey an aesthetic meaning. In this branch of art, where black is used extensively, a visual feast is created by using many colors from pink to navy blue.
What are the Materials Used in Calligraphy?
Although it is possible to call calligraphy an art that is performed without rules, various materials are required to perform it. In order to create products that can be called works of art, it is necessary to use special papers and pens. These special papers, which are used in almost every branch of art, are available in different sizes.
Of course, pens are indispensable for calligraphy materials. In order to create an aesthetic writing, pen models that can cast different forms and shapes on the surface are needed. Calligraphy or calligraphy pens are usually made of wood. These pens, which resemble a tree branch when viewed from the outside, are distinguished from other pens by their flat and crooked tips. It is recommended to use pens with high liquid retention rates to prevent the ink from flowing directly to the surface. When using wooden pens that hold the paint well, you should not forget to use a quality ink with ideal fluidity. Mechanical pens suitable for calligraphy beginners can also be preferred for more comfortable work.
How is Calligraphy Done?
Calligraphy works, which have a fascinating effect, arouse curiosity and interest in almost everyone. Especially everyone who wants to have a relaxing and peaceful hobby is somehow interested in calligraphy. Since calligraphy is a branch of art that depends on the person’s imagination as well as skill, it is an effort that can be easily performed by everyone. However, let us state here that manual dexterity and creativity must definitely be present. It is necessary to use the letters freely and with great mastery in a way that will create an aesthetic whole. At the same time, it is also necessary to know the Arabic letters in order to be able to perform calligraphy.
After obtaining the materials required for calligraphy, you should try to visualize the letters in your mind and bring them together on the surface you are working on in an aesthetic way. Then, you should move your wrist freely on the surface without pressing it, leaving your wrist completely relaxed. In other words, the real answer to the question of how to perform calligraphy is hidden in the creativity of the person.
What is Illumination Art?
The word tezhip, which entered our language from Persian, means decoration with gold.
It is a term formed by the combination of the elements. Especially used a lot in the decoration of the Quran, tezhip is also encountered in important documents such as decrees. Again, tezhips processed around different plates and documents have an extremely aesthetic value. The art of tezhip, which can be performed using different colors, experienced its brightest times during the Ottoman period.
What are the Materials Used in Illumination Art?
Of course, tezhip art is performed using certain materials. Among these materials, gold always takes the first place. In addition, various paints, pencils, wheat starch, alum, Arabic gum, china ink, utility knife and cardboard are among the materials used in tezhip art. The quality of the materials used in tezhip art is important in terms of the work being left to future generations.
How is Illumination Art Made?
Illumination works are works that have an extremely aesthetic appearance. In addition to the visual value of tezhip works, their spiritual value is also quite high. For this reason, interest in the art of illumination is increasing day by day. In addition to paint, gold is also used when making illumination art. Gold is beaten and turned into a thin layer, and these layers are called folio. The gold leaf is then thoroughly crushed in water and mixed with gelatin. In this way, the mixture is allowed to reach a certain consistency. The paints used in illumination paintings are generally earth paints. Today, earth paints have been replaced by synthetic paints. Those who perform the art of illumination are called ilustrates. Illustrates are masters with highly developed manual skills.
