This course was taught live online and it is now available as a recording. This is a digital download purchase therefore nonrefundable.

You will receive a download link as soon as your purchase this course and it is only valid for 24 hours, so please download it as soon as you get it. The link includes all the recording links and Pdfs.

In this series, we revisit Uzbekistan virtually, by drawing & painting some of the beautiful patterns we saw on our trip to Uzbekistan in 2019. As well as guiding you through the geometry & biomorphic drawings, the live sessions will be enriched with a few travel photos, videos and stories from a most excellent adventure in this beautiful country.

When you buy this course, you will get all the patterns from all the four cities (Tashkent, Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand) along with recordings and pdfs.

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.

Suitable for:

Intermediate level geometers with experience of drawings and participants aged 16+.

If you are a beginner and would like to enrol, 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.

Tools needed for this course:

Tools needed for drawing the geometry:

• A3 & A4 smooth paper;

• A compass;

• 30cm transparent ruler;

• 2H & 2B pencil;

• Fineliner pens;

• Tracing paper;

• Masking tape

Tools needed for drawing the biomorphs:

• Drawing from session 1

• Tracing Paper (2 A4 sheets), you will need that for the drawing stage. You can use baking paper instead!

• Sharp HB pencil

• Fine Eraser pen

• Masking tape

Please make sure you have the tools/equipment needed to participate. For recommendations visit

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

Cancellation Policy

This is an instant digital download therefore nonrefundable.

PLEASE NOTE THIS LISTING IS FOR THE RECORDING - you are welcome to purchase the course and get the recording links and 2 pdfs as an instant download.

Inspired by the beauty of patterns found in the pages of Martin Lings book, Samira and I found beauty and details in similar patterns that appealed to their different aesthetics and interests. Samira was drawn to the small details of geometry in titles and on the Frontispieces. Whilst I 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 a 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.

I 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. 

Suitable for:

Intermediate level geometers with experience of drawings  and participants aged 16+.

If you are a beginner and would like to enrol, 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 geometry PDF step by step guide to hand and remember you can always continue after the session following the recordings.

The biomorphic pattern day would be suitable to most. It depends on your comfort level drawing curved lines and basic flowers.

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 & A4 smooth paper

• A compass

• 30cm transparent ruler

• 2H & 2B pencil

• Fineliner pens

• Tracing paper 

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 this listing (click buy below) or via Samira’s website. Please only do one purchase!

Cancellation Policy

This listing is instantly downloadable, so no cancellation or a refund will be accepted.

PLEASE NOTE THIS LISTING IS FOR THE RECORDING - you are welcome to purchase the course and get access to the password protected page that includes the 4 recordings.

This beautiful frontispiece or carpet page comes from Prince Baysunghur's Anthology of Wise Sayings and it dates back to 1430, which is the Timurid Islamic period. It is though that it was produced in Herat, Afghanistan.

Learning this detailed page will help you understand the basics of carpet pages and the art of Islamic illumination. We will reproduce this gorgeous page with all the elements that are within it from the borders

The fee is for all four sessions, recordings and pdfs. All sessions will be recorded and you will get access to all sessions for a whole year via this website.

The materials you need:

• Pencil, ruler, eraser, sharpener and compass.

• A3 paper to draw and A3 paper suitable for painting preferably Hot Press.

• Tracing paper.

• Watercolour or gouache paints that are: black, white, chrome green, red, cobalt blue. You can purchase these colours from Bristle and Brush. Once you practice with these paints, I would suggest redoing it with natural pigments including lapis and malachite.

• Genuine gold 23.5ct, you can buy that from Cornellisons or Wrights of Lymm or gold lustre. I recommend practicing with the gold lustre if it is your first time painting.

• Brushes: Size 0, double 0 (2/0) and 4 zeros (4/0).

Note: This course is suitable for beginners.

I will email you a week before the course starts.