Islamic Pattern Teachers (Islamic Geometry and Islamic Illumination Teachers and Schools)
Hello everyone! Since I started practicing traditional Islamic art, I have been getting a lot of questions about resources to learn Traditional Islamic art, so I thought it will be helpful to write a post about the teachers of Islamic patterns I know in the UK and Internationally.
Traditional Islamic Art Teachers in London, UK:
Art of Islamic Pattern
This is a private studio in London run by Richard Henry and Adam Williamson. They were my first teachers of Islamic geometric and biomorphic patterns. They are AMAZING and very generous with their knowledge and skills. I did a couple classes with them in London and I went with them on their international study trips in Granada, Fez and Istanbul. Most of my current good friends were their students that I met in their classes. This is more than an art studio. It's a whole community. Highly recommended.
Prince's School of Traditional Arts
PSTA is where Richard and Adam attended to learn traditional arts. So, it was only right to checkout the source. PSTA open program offers a number of really good courses in various areas such as geometry, arabesque, illumination, gilding, miniature, calligraphy and more. I took five short courses with them that were taught by different teachers and each one was very talented and giving. I received their open program diploma in Traditional Arts last year. I still have few courses in mind that I want to attend. The teachers who taught me there were Tom Bree, Dr. Lisa DeLong, Amber Khokhar and Farkhondeh Ahmadzadeh. They also do workshops outside of the school, so check their personal wesbsites as well to know more about their schedules.
Esra Alhamal (This website's curator and writer)
Esra has studied with the Art of Islamic Patterns and Prince's School of Traditional Arts (mentioned above). She also did more private training with Turkish and Persian artists. She usually teaches short workshops and teasers in galleries and universities. She is currently teaching regularly in Cass Art. Please check the workshop page for details and dates. If you would like to be the first to know about Esra's workshops, make sure you sign up to the newsletter. You will be notified 24hours before everyone else.
Contact Esra if you are interested in hosting a workshop or learning from her.
Samira Mian
Samira is a friend of mine with 12 years of teaching experience. Her understanding of geometric pattern comes from her maths expertise. She is super fun and very skilled. She is giving a number of workshops around London in locations such as Cass Art and a few others. You can also learn from her online. Click on her name above to find her full teaching schedule.
Anita Chowdry
Anita is a fantastic teacher that learnt her techniques with in depth research and from a Master in India. She is teaching a few courses in City Lit at the moment. She also writes about her research in the field of Islamic illumination and it's worth reading if you are interested in the subject.
Ayesha Gamiet
Ayesha is one of the PSTA graduates and she teaches with them and in her private studio. She has a range of different classes especially for illumination. She is a very talented artist and a wonderful teacher.
Eric Broug
I haven't done any classes personally with Eric, but he is a Facebook sensation. He also gives lots of workshops around the UK, Internationally and online. Not to mention that everyone who is interested in Islamic pattern most probably owns his book. Check his website for a list of his workshops or contact him on Facebook. He is very responsive and active on there.
Traditional Islamic Art Teachers in Birmingham, UK:
Shaheen Kasmani
Shaheen is a great artist and teacher. She is a PSTA graduate and she offers workshops on geometric/biomorphic patterns in her studio in Birmingham and around the UK.
Traditional Islamic Art Teachers in different places in the UK:
Saba Rifat
I haven't personally taken any classes with Saba, but she is a popular arabesque and geometry teacher in the UK and she has a published book with patterns too.
Sharmina Haq
Sharmina is a prevoius classmate and she is so lovely! She started teaching islamic illumination lately and she has class in London and other places in the UK such as Cambridge. Email her for her full schedule.
Traditional Islamic Art Teachers in Istanbul, Turkey
The Istanbul Design Centre
I went to Istanbul with the Art of Islamic Pattern and we spent the week in the Istanbul Design Centre. I found out that the centre offer a number of classes. I think mainly in Turkish though.
Dilara Yarcı Diniz
When I was in Istanbul, I really wanted to learn the Turkish illumination style, so I asked around until I found Dilara. I did an intensive private week with her. She was so good and she speaks great English.
Serap Ekizler Sönmez
I haven't taken a class with Serap, but she is always helping others on Islamic Art Facebook groups. You can contact her directly via her website if you are looking for classes in Istanbul.
Traditional Islamic Art Teachers in Saudi
House Of Traditional Arts
PSTA and Art Jameel have collaborated to bring this training centre to Jeddah. It teaches Islamic patterns and other traditional Arts. Full details and workshops on their website.
Dana Awartani
Dana is a very talented artists. She graduated from PSTA and she gives workshops and short courses in Jeddah and the gulf. She announces her workshops on her Instagram account.
Maram Al Hidmi
I only talked to Maram through Instagram, but she seems to be qualified and talented. She gives some workshops in Jeddah with Tasami Creative Lab.
Mojdeh Afsaneh Khalighi
I saw her on instagram and her tezhip work is beautiful and she gives a number of courses in Riyadh.
Traditional Islamic Art Teachers in Qatar
Katara Cultural Village
Katara offer a range of art workshops and sometimes they host PSTA or other Islamic pattern artists to give classes. It's worth checking out if you are there.
Aziza Iqbal
Aziza is a very talented artist living in Qatar. She gives a number of workshops on Islamic geometric patterns there. She announces her workshops on Instagram.
Museum of Islamic Art
The Museum of Islamic Art in Qatar is the most recognized museum in that area. They give calligraphy and Islamic geometry workshops. I noticed that they website is not up to date with some workshops, so it's good to contact them directly to find out more.
Traditional Islamic Art Teachers in Kuwait
Liwan Kashida Islamic Art KW
They offer calligraphy and illumination courses. They sponsor Dilara to go and teach there as well.
Traditional Islamic Art Teachers in the UAE
Bayt Alqandeel
Bay Al Qandeel work with the Art of Islamic Pattern and they offer intensive Islamic pattern courses twice a year in Abu Dhabi. You can either contact them or contact the Art of Islamic Pattern directly.
Traditional Islamic Art Teachers in Toronto, Canada:
Unaiza Karim Arts
She is a PSTA graduate and gives workshops on Islamic illuminations. She was suggested by one of our followers. She seems very accomplished.
Traditional Islamic Art Teachers in the USA
Parvin Sepehr
Parvin gives workshops on Persian miniature, which is part of the traditional Pre&Post Islamic. She was suggested by one of our followers.
If all these locations are far from you, then you can keep an eye on these inspiring Instagram accounts and Facebook groups:
Ps. This is not a sponsored post. This is only an open source to help you find some great teachers. There are affliate links in this post though. If you know about more teachers and schools that teach Islamic traditional arts then please share in the comments below :)
10 Islamic Art Activities in London
Some art of your instagram
![[Pigments & Handmade Watercolour]
The first time I was told about making my own watercolours from pigments, I was confused and thought why would I ever need to do that with such an abundance of choices out there in the shops, but something clicke](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5723e7f53c44d8676af44a5a/1593364075353-5E6JVA2WRDFXW55RLU86/image-asset.jpeg)
![[Copyrights & watermarks] ⤵️
.
.
22ct gold added✨ & this lovely brush stand is made from the garden rosewood by @fidget_one 💛🙏🏻
.
.
“You should put a watermark” someone told me, but it’s not the first time I get told &ldq](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5723e7f53c44d8676af44a5a/1591790274366-15MOG8GA6UAJXTH7SWW9/image-asset.jpeg)