Which course or workshop should I do to learn Islamic art and patterns?
It is so good to hear that you are interested learning more about Islamic art and patterns and you have come to the right place. In this post, I will help you find a useful course or workshop for patterns and illumination.
The term Islamic art is HUGE and it includes lots of different things. You can listen to the art illuminated podcast episode to understand the definition of Islamic art a little further.
First thing you want to determine is which areas would you want to learn within Islamic art and patterns?
To help you do that, here are some popular areas of study:
Arabic calligraphy
Patterns (geometric and/or biomorphic)
Illumination
Miniature
Each of these areas can be specific to a historic Islamic period or a specific geographic location. Since each of these areas are really big, I am going to focus on the pattern and illumination aspects since they are my specialties and the two things I love the most. I have been learning and teaching them since 2014 and there is still lots to be learned and shared.
When it comes to patterns, there are two types that are common within the architecture, books and objects of the Islamic lands: geometric patterns and biomorphic. The Islamic geometric patterns are based on a line construction assisted by the use of a compass and a straight edge. There are many mathematical compositions and they are reliant on specific number of stars and shapes.
Example of Islamic geometric pattern from Samarkand, Uzbekistan
The second type is biomorphic patterns and they are the organic, free flowing and curved shapes with a big element of hand drawing and they are my favourite thing to draw. Biomorphic patterns also have a geometric grid, but all the florals cover those line and it becomes a really symmetrical hand drawing. These patterns appear on everything from ceramics to little house objects. My two favourite applications are ceramics and illuminated manuscripts. This type of pattern has gained an insane popularity lately as well.
Example of biomorphic pattern from Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Islamic illumination.com, this website, is all about biomorphic patterns and illumination and I have created a number of courses and workshops to help you learn this beautiful art form wherever you are and based on your level as follows:
Starting point for beginners
Islamic Illumination Painting Basics
Biomorphic Analysis
Building your skills
Mamluk Manuscript Elements
Uzbekistan Pattern Tour
Portfolio building Projects
Manuscript Reproduction
Mughal Borders
Design Your Own Patterns
Continuing your practice
The illumination club
Keep on reading for the details below.
Starting point for beginners
There are two ways to approach the learning biomorphic patterns and the art of illumination, you can either learn it through the practice of painting and copying the work of the masters from the 14th to 18th centuries or by approaching the pattern motifs. This is a very personal decision and I have had different types of students who prefer different things. So ask yourself which is the aspect you are drawn to? The painting or the motifs?
If you are leaning towards the painting then the Islamic Illumination Painting Basics is the right one for you to start.
You will learn:
Material preparation - including paper prep and shell gold making.
Painting following the traditional Islamic illumination method step by step and applied on one pattern (image below).
Three additional pattern template to help you improve your skills.
Insight into becoming a practicing artist.
This course is mainly video footage that are nearly 2 hours. All the materials you will need (and alternative suggestions are listed on there too).
This is the main pattern you will learn in Islamic Illumination Painting Basics
If you are leaning towards the actual shapes and motifs that are within the biomorphic pattern then the Biomorphic Analysis Course is a good option for you.
You will learn:
Two geometric systems that is the basis of many Islamic biomorphic patterns.
12 patterns (pictured below) they all come from real historic ceramic and manuscript examples.
This course includes 12 videos, one for each pattern and it has been reduced from the original three hours to 30-40 minutes. We start with the geometric construction and then draw free hand. There is also an aspect of painting.
Tools & Supplies needed for this course: compass, straight edge, pencil, sharpener, eraser, tracing paper and watercolour or gouache paint and brushes. Brands and specific suggestions are included once you join.
If you are not sure that you can commit to all 12 patterns and you want to test one at a time, you can join me on the biomorphic analysis workshop that I teach online and in-person in Cass Art, London. This will give you a taster to see how you like the pattern practice. You can either choose the workshop based on the pattern you like the most or most convenient date. With the online option, you will also get a recording that you can access for 12 months.
Building your skills
After taking the biomorphic analysis course, you might be up for something more challenging and I have just the thing for you. My friend and geometry expert Samira Mian and I have designed two courses that will help you build your skills and improve and expand your use of Islamic geometry and biomorphs. These underlying geometric grids are more advanced than the simple ones provided in the biomorphic analysis course above.
The first joint course with Samira is the Mamluk Manuscript Element.
The Mamluks are a historic Islamic dynasty that ruled over Egypt and Syria from 1250 to 1517 and they produced some stunning manuscripts and architecture. In this course, we focus on various elements of Mamluk manuscripts taken from the pages of Martin Lings book. It is made of four sessions, each is two hours, so you get a total of eight hours. They are not edited, so you get the full experience.
You will learn:
Ten-fold Geometric Pattern with Samira (Pdf included)
Sixteen-fold Geometric Pattern with Samira (Pdf included)
Biomorphic construction with Esra
Painting following the art of Islamic illumination with Esra
Here are some examples from our students who took the course:
The second joint course is the Pattern Tour of Uzbekistan and it is basically a virtual tour of four cities in Uzbekistan that we visited on our epic holiday there in 2019.
You will learn:
The Tashkent Sessions (4 hours): The construction of the beautiful 12/8 pattern from a Metro Station in Tashkent along with a second more conventional variation from the Old City of Tashkent with Samira and the free-hand biomorphic drawings that fill the geometric shapes with Esra.
The Khiva Sessions (4 hours): Two sets of eight-fold patterns from the Summer Palace of the Kuhna Ark.
The Bukhara Sessions (4 hours): 12/8 pattern found in many different locations, the arch construction and composition with Samira and free-hand biomorphic elements within the geometry & the spiralling motifs above the arch with Esra.
The Samarkand Sessions (4 hours): Tenfold rosette pattern with tapered petals with Samira. Then the biomorphs for it along with a circular design with Esra. All of these patterns can be found in the Registan Complex of Samarkand.
Below are the images of these patterns and some examples from our students:
Portfolio building Projects
Once you go down the rabbit hole of patterns, you will want to do more and more courses and this is the reason, I am introducing two new offerings coming up in September and October. They require previous drawing experience (the biomorphic analysis course, Mamluk manuscript elements OR Pattern Tour of Uzbekistan will be sufficient as well).
Timurid Illuminated Manuscript Reproduction
I am very excited about teaching this one. The best way to keep learning patterns is practicing and copying the master’s work and in this four-week workshop we will attempt to draw and paint a master piece from the 16th century.Thursday evenings, 6:30-8:30pm: 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th September 2021 (recording will also be available).
Mughal Golden Borders
Borders are a very important aspect in biomorphic pattern compositions and the Mughal empire (1526-1800s) have produced so many gorgeous ones. We will practice few styles that you can paint independently or as a border.Monday evenings, 6:30-8:30pm: 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th October 2021 (recording will also be available).
Continuing your practice
If you want to put a lot of the motifs and patterns into practice, you can try the Design Your Own Patterns course. It is made of Four sessions and each one is 45 minutes. You also get reference images to help you with motif selection.
You will learn:
Two geometric grid systems and how to create a design units (the 8 and 6 pointed stars).
More insight to Persian and Turkish Flowers and how they can be used in design
If you are in love with these patterns (welcome to this world my friend), you can join The Illumination Club to get on going support, monthly traceable patterns and a monthly group zoom catchup. It is a nice way to surround yourself with other creatives. The patterns can be very complicated and sometimes they are simple. I try to keep it fresh every month. Below are some of the patterns we have done so far this year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I access these courses?
You can buy the course or courses that you want directly from this listing.
For the Islamic illumination Painting Basics, Biomorphic Analysis 12 Pattern Course, Design Your Own Patterns and The Illumination Club, you will have to create a log in and view the information in the designated membership area.
For the joint courses with Samira, you will get an automatic link to a documents that includes links to the recordings and Pdfs. This link expires in 24 hours, so please download this as soon as you get the email.
For the live Biomorphic Analysis monthly workshops, Manuscript Reproduction and Golden Mughal Borders you will get a zoom link the day before and you will received the recording in a password protected page on this website.
How long is my access?
Some courses have unlimited courses, where others have 12 months access, please check the specific details for each course.
Can I share the log-in or share the information with friends?
Once you purchase the course, the log in is only valid for you and you are not allowed to share it with friends or that will be a preach of copy rights.
Can I get a refund after I buy a course?
No refunds or transfers are acceptable since the access is instant.