The registration closing date is 22nd August 2025.
This is two day( 6 hours in total) Zoom workshop. The recording will be available after the classes for two months.
The time is AEST. If you join us from overseas, please check the local time.
This two-session workshop will explore decorative floral ornamentation, drawing inspiration from the negative, or stencilled, style that is found in illuminated manuscripts and tilework from Turkish, Persian and Indian artistic traditions.
We will look at some historic examples to identify features of this captivating visual language before moving on to the foundations of how to draw some leaf, bud and flower motifs. We will then construct an S-curved geometric pattern and incorporate our motifs into a beautiful design that combines both elements.
Skill level: Beginner, no previous experience is required although it will be assumed students know how to use a pair of compasses and straight edge. This video gives some essential geometry tips which students may find helpful to watch prior to attending: https://youtu.be/hqRznqvnVuo?feature=shared
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This list references the tools and materials I will use during the workshop but please don’t feel you need to rush out and buy everything!
Tools
• Pencils – one hard leaded for constructing the geometry and one soft leaded for sketching the design
• Sharpener and eraser
• 30cm / 12inch ruler (a transparent one with parallel lines is ideal but not essential)
• A standard pair of compasses
• Small size paint brush with a decent point (eg. Winsor & Newton Series 7, Size “2”)
Surface
• A3 cartridge or printer paper for drawing the geometry and sketching motifs
• A4 tracing paper and some low tack tape
• A3 tea-stained or toned paper for the final design (needs to be pale enough to see pencil lines). Or white paper is fine, you will simply need to switch white paint for a colour.
Colour
• If time allows, we will add some colour to our finished design. I used the following but please feel free to use whatever you prefer to work with:
• Finetec Coliro Pearlcolor Watercolour “Arabic Gold”
• Winsor & Newton Gouache “Permanent White
• Winsor & Newton Gouache “Ultramarine”
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