Islamic Art (Illumination)

Description

Islamic Art – Course Description

Students will be given an introduction of Islamic illumination. We will look at the floral motifs in Islamic illumination. Students will be shown how to create a simple design combining all the motifs to allow them to create a final composition which they will paint. We will also look at the techniques and resources used in Islamic illumination.

Level: Beginner

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course. Students may enrol on the programme each term or the full programme in September.

Recommended prior study and activity: None

Duration:

• 30 weeks (over 3 terms).
• 60 hours in total, 2 hours each lesson

Content Summary

Term 1:

Students will be introduced to the floral motifs in Islamic illumination. They will be shown how to create a simple design combining all the motifs to allow them to create small compositions.

This will incorporate the following aspects:
• Introduction to the Islamic arts
• Main floral motifs: Yaprak, Penc, Goncagul, Hatayi
• Incorporating the motifs within a pattern
• Analysing designs found in various resources
• Designing a composition

Term 2

New students will be introduced to the floral motifs in Islamic illumination. They will be shown how to create a simple design combining all the motifs to allow them to create small compositions.
Continuing students will continue practicing the floral motifs in Islamic illumination. They will be creating a design combining all the motifs to allow them to create a composition which they will transfer onto muraqqa and paint using the techniques learnt.

This will incorporate the following aspects:
• Continue refining their skills in drawing and combining the floral motifs
• Gouache and gold paint
• Painting techniques for Islamic illumination
• Designing a completed composition

Term 3

New students will be introduced to the floral motifs in Islamic illumination. They will be shown how to create a simple design combining all the motifs to allow them to create small compositions.
Continuing students will continue refining their skills and produce more intricate floral motifs in Islamic illumination. They will create further designs combining all the motifs learnt to allow them to create a final composition which they will transfer onto muraqqa and paint using the techniques learnt.

This will incorporate the following aspects:

• Continue refining their skills in drawing more intricate floral motifs
• Zencerek and border design for their composition
• Paper making (muraqqa) for the final composition
• Exploring real gold (shell and leaf gold)
• Painting techniques for Islamic illumination
• Designing a final composition

NOTE: Throughout the terms, the lessons will also introduce students to the history and resources used in Islamic art. These will be done through presentations and showing the actual resources to the students.

Learning outcomes Course Learning Outcomes

• The topics outlined in the course contents above.
• Identifying Islamic illumination patterns in Islamic artefacts and architecture
• Understanding the use of Islamic illumination on various mediums
• Being able to draw the individual floral motifs
• Assembling the floral motifs into a simple design
• Drawing and painting techniques

Teaching and learning Strategies

• Show and tell
• Practical hands on learning and guided exercise
• Group discussion

Assessment Strategies

There are no formal assessments. Students will practice under teacher supervision to complete a final piece. Everyone will have opportunities to ask and interact with the teacher

Progression: Students may be interested in the ‘Calligraphy (The Riq’ah Script)’, ‘Fatimid Kufic’ courses.

Indicative resources and further reading. Students should purchase the following:

• Pencils (HB/2H)
• Ruler
• Eraser
• Paint brushes (to be discussed in class)
• Paint palette
• Colouring pencils
• Further resources may be required through the duration of the course

Course Delivery

This course will be delivered onsite.

Teacher

Sister Sophia Abbas