Introduction to Geometric Art: Online course

This live online course takes place on five consecutive Saturdays in August, starting Saturday 1st August, from 11am to 1pm (BST/GMT+1/London time).

The course is suitable for beginners.

The course requires you to download Zoom, a free video conferencing app. Please be prepared to log into the online session 5-10 minutes before the start. And please ensure that your mic and camera are turned off when you join, to avoid any internet connectivity issues.

You will be emailed the Zoom meeting link the day before each session, with a reminder of any equipment needed for that session (see below for details).

If you are not able to attend every session 'live', please be assured that the sessions will be recorded and emailed out to you within 48 hours of each one ending.

The course will cover the basics of various forms of geometric art, including the essentials of sacred geometry, Islamic geometry and Gothic tracery. We will also touch on some different techniques for decorating your finished patterns.

A brief summary of each session:

Session 1: Mandalas with circles

Session 2: Sixfold Alhambra patterns hiding in the 'flower of life'

Session 3: Fivefold symmetry and the Golden Ratio

Session 4: Fourfold Islamic patterns that tessellate in squares

Session 5: Gothic tracery and the trefoil window

Required equipment

Essential:

Drawing compass (any decent compass will do, but I always recommend the Jakar 1158 Quick Release Giant Bow Double Knee Compass with pen attachment and lengthening bar, available on eBay for £15.95).

30cm/12inch ruler, pencil, black pen (preferrably a fineliner), sharpener and eraser

Plain A4 paper for drawing (e.g. printer paper)

Tracing paper

A colouring medium: e.g. felt tips/fineliners/coloured pencils/watercolour pencils

Optional (if you wish to paint your designs - recommended!):

Watercolour paper - hot or cold-pressed, 300gsm or better. A3 is a good size.

Watercolour paints, paintbrushes and water

And any other of your favourite art equipment, e.g. metallic pens.