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Open until 12:30 am
Course Description:
This four-day masterclass will be an interesting journey for art lovers, painters, calligraphers and traditional art enthusiasts. This course is essential for participants who love to learn about Islamic floral shapes and motifs, which are made of stylized botanical forms of leaves and flowers — the basics of traditional Islamic illumination. In this hands-on course, artists passionate about Islamic art will explore a part of the history behind these shapes and the practical hands-on skills to create similar paintings that are seen throughout history, including drawing and painting a frame and a rectangular piece known as a “carpet page.” Participants will start by drawing simple geometric shapes to make more complex patterns. Participants will also enjoy learning the preparation of traditional materials such as making genuine shell gold and getting their model on paper ready for their new art piece to be created. By the end of this course, the participants will eventually have their own frameable, self-made artworks.
Course Objectives:
- Learning a brief history of Islamic patterns through illuminated manuscripts.
- Understanding the traditional painting process known as Islamic illumination.
- Practicing brush outlining with black ink.
- Learning the basics of designing a carpet page found in traditional manuscripts.
Course Outcomes:
- To obtain knowledge and understanding of the Islamic floral style.
- To recognize and understand the Islamic color palette and the different techniques used in Islamic floral illumination.
- To learn and develop the skills required to paint, shade, stylize and outline biomorphic patterns.
- To explore the basics of the manuscript illumination process starting from the preparation of materials.
- To understand the different types and processes of manuscript illumination.
- To acquire professional drawing skills and be able to practice them independently.
Recommended for:
This masterclass will be great for anyone who enjoys art, painting, calligraphy and traditional artistic practice.
Facilitator
Esra Al Hamal
The Saudi artist Dr. Esra Alhamal is the General Manager of The School of Calligraphy and Ornamentation in UAE. Dr. Alhamal is also an educator, podcaster and co-founder of Bristle and Brush watercolors, based in London, UK. She completed her Ph.D. at the University of East London while her thesis studied Islamic biomorphic Nabati patterns and illumination. She is also passionate about traditional art and has been putting this passion for it into practice since 2014.
