Persian Miniature Course  

Learning through reproduction: The Seven Beauties 

by Anahita Alavi 

   

Date: Saturdays, 12 Oct -30 Nov 2024 

Time: 16:00- 18:00 (GMT) 

The course will be held on 8 consecutive Saturdays 

 

 

Type of Event: Zoom Online Course 

Course Fee: £210 for SOAS Students 

                     £250  for non- SOASians 

 

 

The most effective way to learn a traditional art form is by reproducing an existing work; A fundamental method for developing skills and understanding techniques. Artists refine their ability by meticulously copying established works, which helps them master techniques, styles and cultural themes. This practice not only enhances technical proficiency but also preserves and transmits artist’s traditions across generation.  

In this course, we will study and reproduce a renowned scene from the Anthology of Iskandar Sultan to become familiar with the Timurid style of painting (1378-1506).  

The course introduces the traditional techniques that define Persian miniatures, such as the use of colours, fine brushwork, and rendering the details through this painting. We will explore the story behind this painting, the symbolic and narrative elements that illustrate it, the intricate construction of the composition, the underlying architectural structure, and the detailed patterns used to decorate the panels.  

 

What will you practice: 

• Preparing your paper for painting 

• Transferring the image on your paper  

• Constructing the architectural structure  

• Mixing and applying colours 

• Architectural decoration (Geometric and Vegetal motifs) 

• Outlining and rendering fine details  

• Rendering the human figures, the faces and the clothing (This is optional! Feel free to only focus on the building) 

 

* Please note that we are not going to practice the drawing skills in this course.  

 

The course will be running in 8 consecutive weeks with each session lasting 120 minutes. During the course, participants will be able to send their progress to our tutor and receive the instructions and feedback individually.  

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 help and support from our tutor during the course.  

The full list of the required and optional materials will be sent to you right after the registration.   

 

The registration deadline is 09 Oct 2024. For registration and more information about the course please email us on iranianartssociety@gmail.com 

 

 

 

 

Anahita Alavi is an award winning artist and educator who holds 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 for Persian Studies.