Starting out with basics

Fish calligram. .سمك Samak. PNG - If you look at this image for a while, for as long as I have, you will begin to notice the mistakes too. But overall I am proud of it. M

This book will get you started; Teach Yourself Beginner's Arabic Script, by John Mace. For more information, check out the book reviews on Amazon.com to see if it really is what you may be looking for. But maybe you already know the basics.

Start by bookmarking calligrams by artists you like, copy them on your own paper again and again, just to get the feel for how it's done. Soon you will understand the visual rhythm enough to make your own designs.

The image I added is my own work, it's only hard if you contemplate how hard it is instead of practicing it a little at a time.