Online Course with Esra & Samira | Mamluk Minbar Elements

Mamluk Manuscripts with Esra & Samira

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PLEASE NOTE THIS COURSE HAS ALREADY ENDED - you are welcome to purchase the course and will be sent all recordings & PDFs.

Inspired by the beauty of patterns found in the pages of Martin Lings book, Esra and I found beauty and details in similar patterns that appealed to their different aesthetics and interests. I was drawn to the small details of geometry in titles and on the Frontispieces. Whilst Esra was appreciating the curves and symmetry of the stylised floral motifs within the different geometric shapes as well those that elevating whole pages with ornate borders. From these conversations, this course was born.

Samira will take you through step by step the construction of two patterns exclusively for these zoom sessions.

Each will be accompanied by a step by step PDF for you to use during or after the sessions.

Esra will guide you with the free hand drawings that will be filling the geometric spaces and she will introduce you to a simple biomorphic border that will frame the piece along with pointers on painting and outlining.

Dates and Times:

6th, 13th, 20th and 27th December

All are Sundays, 4pm to 6pm London time (GMT)

Price

£80 for all 4 sessions, PDFs for sessions 1 & 2, access to recordings of the sessions.

Schedule:

6th December: Session 1 - Tenfold Geometric Pattern with Samira assisted by Esra

13th December: Session 2 - Sixteenfold Geometric Pattern with Samira assisted by Esra

20th December: Session 3 - Biomorphic construction with Esra assisted by Samira

27th December: Session 4 - Painting following the art of Islamic illumination with Esra assisted by Samira

Platform:

These workshops will be hosted zoom (an online platform). You will need to download Zoom on your phone or on your computer. You will receive a link the day before every session.

Recording:

All 4 sessions will be recorded and available to view from 48 hours after the session (dependent on upload speed). A link to the recording will be emailed to all participants once it is ready for you to view at your own leisure any time.

Suitable for:

Intermediate level geometers with experience of drawings and participants aged 16+. If you are a beginner and would like to enroll, we suggest you practise plenty before the start of course to make sure you are better prepared. Try working through Five & Tenfold patterns or Twelvefold Islamic Geometric Rosettes. We will work at a pace aimed at intermediate level geometers, however if it is difficult to keep up do try to have the PDF step by step guide to hand and remember you can always continue after the session following the recordings.

Tools needed for this session:

Please make sure you have these tools to be able to join in with the workshop activities.

Please do visit www.samiramian.uk/equipment

or https://www.islamicillumination.com/blog/paints-papers-brushes-for-islamic-illumination for recommendations.

For Sessions 1 & 2:

A3 or A4 smooth paper;
A quality compass;
30 cm transparent ruler;
2H & 2B pencil;
Fineliner pens;
Tracing paper ;
Masking tape.

For Session 3 & 4:

Tracing Paper (2 A4 sheets), you will need that for the drawing stage. You can use baking paper instead!
Watercolour paper for painting.
Watercolour or Gouache Paints, such as Bristle & Brush paint brand.
Paint palette or plate or something to hold paints and for mixing.
Additional Gold Colour in watercolour or gouache (optional).
Two brushes ( size 0 and size double zero or smaller 0/2, 03 or 04), Pro Arte series 101 is good to start with.
Black ink or black paint watercolour/gouache (optional, but preferred).

Booking & payment

Booking the course is possible via my or Esra's website. Please purchase one or the other not both.

Cancellation Policy

If you are unable to attend one or more of the sessions, please do remember that you will have access to the recordings as described above as well as PDF step by step guides for sessions 1 and 2. If you would still like to cancel your place, a refund is only possible if we are notified 7 days in advance of the beginning of the course.