Zarah Hussain

An article in the BBC online newspapers captured me when I read about an exciting artist. http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2007/11/30/walthamforest_handasah_feature.shtml
Zarah Hussain is from Pakistan. She paints simple yet elaborate works of art using simple geometric shapes to form intricate designs and patterns. She is exhibiting her work at the Walthamstow gallery until the end of this month, January, 2008.
As I don’t live in London I cannot view her art in exhibit. But never the less I can enjoy her work from a “distance”.
From her websitehttp://www.zarahhussain.co.uk/ I can tell that she embodies her belief in her art and certainly can be an example for many to follow. I really am impressed with her designs and inspired by her talent.

Drawing the Kaaba

This is a free lesson and must not to be reproduced or printed for commercial reasons without permission from the author of this blog. All rights reserved.

Step one - Draw a line across the bottom half of your paper. This your horizon line. It separates the foreground from the background.

Step Two - Draw a square making sure that most of the shape is above the horizon line. Step Three -Draw another square behind square number one, making sure that it finished below the horizon line and a little to the side.

Step four - Now join the two squares by drawing straight lines (red lines) from the four corners.Step Five -Draw four more straight lines (red lines). Two on the square number one and two on the side facing you in a slight angle.

Step six - To add the background, start by adding two horizontal lines (green lines) and drawing the tower.

Step seven - Next to draw the arches, draw some vertical lines (green lines).

Step eight - To complete the arches draw some slightly curved lines ( blue lines)

Step nine -You are ready to color. Color square number one with black leaving the space between the two red lines blank. Color the top space in a light brown or any other light color. Color the side in a medium grey. Color the band around the Kaaba in yellow.

Step ten - Add in the color for the sky. There is no need to add any cloud since this is the desert sky and it does not need clouds. You can add a little if you like. Add the color for the sand. It can range from light brown to ochre and with a little texture can really look nice. You can continue to add as much details as you like. Arabic can be added to the yellow band too. Have fun!!!

How to draw the head of a girl wearing Hijab.

This is a free lesson and must not to be reproduced or printed for commercial reasons without permission from the author of this blog. All rights reserved.

Step one – Always draw as lightly as you can so that you can
erase without a mess. Draw an oval. This is the skull.

Step two – Draw another oval. This will be the face.

Step three – Add the shape of a cylinder to form the neck.


Step four - Draw a line (red line) where the two ovals divide each other. This is where the eyes will be.

tep five – Draw another line (red line) below the first. This is where the nose will be.


Step six – Draw another line (red line) below. This will be where the mouth will be.


Step seven – Draw the face (green line) using the red lines to guide you.



Step eight – Next, draw a line (green lines)to form the neck line
and the Hijab at the back of the head.




Step nine – Now draw a line (green lines)to join up and make the bottom of the Hijab.


Step ten – To finish forming the Hijab, draw lines (blue lines) from the top of the head to the neck and across the forehead. Erase any lines which might protrude out of the face or else where.

Step eleven – Color in the face using a color you like.




Steps twelve – Color fill the forehead part of the Hijab with another color that you chose.
Step thirteen – Color in the shawl.



Step fourteen – Add any decorative designs you would like.
Step fifteen – Add a background.
Now you have completed a silhouette of a Muslima!
Experiment with designs and colors to make some very interesting pictures.Alhamduillah! After some practise you should be able to draw a head without all the construction steps.