Persian Miniature Painting Course: Mythical Creatures– Short Zoom Course.
Persian Miniature Painting Course: Mythical Creatures - Zoom Online
When: Sat 20 November 2021 16:00-18:00
Where: Onlin (Zoom)
Persian Miniature Painting: Mythical Creatures
Short course
by Anahita Alavi
Date: Saturdays, 23 Oct -11 Dec 2021
Time: 16:00 -18:00 (UK time)
The course will be held on 8 consecutive Saturdays
Type of Event: : Zoom Online Course
Course Fee: £210 for SOAS Students
£250 for non-SOASian
The mythical bird, the king of birds who lives at the top of the Alburz Mountains, the Simurgh can be reborn from his ashes, which makes him an immortal bird. Also known as the Phoenix, the simurgh evolves from a myth into the symbol of divine glory and the guardian of Persian kingdom. The dragon, on the other hand, is a destructive demoniacal force in Iranian mythology. The dragon is often seen as fighting against or being killed by mythical heroes. A victory over the dragon was a way of manifesting the king’s/hero’s legitimacy in Iranian legends.
This course focuses on the images of the simurgh and dragons in Persian miniature paintings and various essential details involved in drawing and painting them. In this course you will learn:
• How to draw the simurgh
• How to draw dragons
• Practice a few postures of each
• How to prepare paper for painting
• Outlining and painting the simurgh and dragons by using two different techniques
• How to shade and render the fine details
Following a line of gradual development, students will be guided to practice several stages of drawing, colouring and outlining the simurgh and dragons. Participants’ practices will be checked one by one and necessary instructions will be given.
Participants of all levels of experience and knowledge are welcome to take part. They will be guided step by step through various stages of creating a miniature painting. Having previous knowledge and skill of brush techniques can be an asset, yet beginners are most welcome too.
Please note that the course will be recorded and you will receive the access link within a few hours after the live session. If you wish to rely on the recorded class, you will get the full support and guidance from our tutor throughout the course.
Students will receive the list of required materials once they register.
The registration deadline is 20 Oct 2021, and given the instruction and support students will receive over the course from our tutor, we have a limited number of places available (first one, first-served). For registration and more information about the course please email us on iranianartssociety@gmail.com.
Anahita Alavi has an MA in History of Art and Architecture of Islamic Middle East from SOAS University of London. An Iranian artist, she has learned Persian miniature painting and Islamic illumination under the supervision of a number of great masters in Iran. Her keen interest in the aforementioned areas led her to choose traditional art as her BA major. Aiming to enhance her theoretical-historical knowledge about Iranian culture and arts, Anahita also did an MA in Art Studies at the University of Tehran. She used to teach Persian painting and Islamic illumination at the Payame-Nur University of Tehran and a number of schools and institutes in Iran. In 2016, she started an entrepreneur project called Muqarnas Art sponsored by SOAS.
The project is concerned with teaching and producing Persian miniature and illumination. This aims to preserve the tradition of Miniature painting and Islamic illumination and transmit the respective knowledge and skills to enthusiastic students. To this end, Anahita has been teaching Persian miniature painting and Islamic Illumination courses at the SOAS London Middle East Institute and British Institute of Persian Studies and the Iranian Arts Society at SOAS.