Introduction to Islamic Art: Create Biomorphic Patterns
A course by Esra AlhamalArtist, Educator, and Podcaster
A course by Esra Alhamal, Artist, Educator, and Podcaster
Delve into the rich history of Islamic art to draw and paint intricate patterns that honor tradition and encourage experimentation
An ancient art form steeped in tradition, dazzling patterns, and motifs inspired by nature, is at your fingertips. Saudi artist, educator, and podcaster Esra Alhamal has established a career in Islamic art, born from her profound adoration for the practice, and has specialized in the art form for her PhD. She founded online platform Islamic Illumination where she hosts workshops, and her weekly podcast Art Illuminated has received more than 15K downloads. Esra’s work has also been exhibited in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, and in London where she is based.
In this course, learn how to reproduce a pattern from a 16th century Safavid manuscript in your own style. Discover the traditional methods of painting a symmetrical biomorphic pattern using free-hand techniques and an eight-pointed geometric grid for structure. Explore color harmony and experimentation, and see how to outline with ink and a brush to create stunning compositions of Islamic art. See where this ancient art form takes you.
What will you learn in this online course?
16 lessons & 18 downloads
Grid and Biomorphic Motifs
6 minutes, 36 seconds
Colour Harmony and Painting
17 minutes, 34 seconds
Outlining
10 minutes, 16 seconds
Drawing the Grid
15 minutes, 6 seconds
Adding the Biomorphs 1
16 minutes, 6 seconds
Adding the Biomorphs 2
11 minutes, 42 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start the course by getting to know artist Esra Alhamal and hear the journey of how traditional Islamic art began as her side pursuit and developed into a full-time career as well as the topic of her PhD. Find out about the fellow artists, books, and experiences that have influenced Esra’s work and creative journey.
Look at the history behind Islamic art before familiarizing yourself with the course materials. Learn about the importance of grids and the types of grids you can use in the creation of common biomorphic motifs. Delve into color theory in the painting process, including the typical colors used in Islamic patterns, creating balance, and mixing and experimenting with paint combinations. Then, practice outlining with ink as you draw spirals, curves, different types of lines, and learn how to hold your brush.
Begin recreating a Safavid pattern as Esra guides you through each step. First draw your geometric star grid and add the free-hand biomorphic elements. Learn how to repeat your pattern to create a circular motif using tracing paper. Then transfer your design and start painting. Put the outlining techniques from earlier in the course into practice to achieve the illumination painting style, and complete your background.
Add sun rays to your motif for further decoration, as Esra explains different approaches and styles. End the course with advice on finding your artistic community online, and how to share your work on social media.
What is this course's project?
Paint a motif from the Safavid (Islamic Persian) period, with the choice of adding your own style to the pattern or following the original.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is for anyone interested in exploring traditional Islamic art and painting biomorphic patterns.
Requirements and materials
No previous experience is required; this course is suitable for anyone from beginners to advanced painters.
In terms of materials, you will need a pencil, ruler, eraser, compass, drawing paper, tracing paper, watercolor paper, gouache or watercolor paints, brushes, and waterproof black ink.
Reviews
- 17 days ago
Fue un curso muy enriquecedor, no precisas conocimientos previos. El material no resulta ser costoso de conseguir.
- 3 months ago
Me gusta mucho el curso, las explicaciones son claras y detalladas.
- 5 months ago
Il corso è interessante, la docente spiega bene e questo tipo di arte sembra molto rilassante. Ma c'è una cosa che non capisco, non è riferita a questo corso in particolare: non capisco perché in questa tipologia di corso dove vi sarebbe la necessità di zoomare per inquadrare i particolari dei lavori — mentre il docente spiega — queste inquadrature invece rimangano sempre ad una certa distanza.
- 5 months ago
exelente profesora me encanto
- 5 months ago
¡¡Maravilloso y Espectacular!!
Now a PhD candidate on the topic of traditional Islamic art history, she is determined to make the craft accessible and inspire others. She does so by sharing her expertise through workshops on the educational platform she founded, Islamic Illumination, and via her weekly podcast, Art Illuminated, which has received more than 15K downloads. Esra’s work has been exhibited in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain, and she has participated in collaborative shows in London. Alongside her art career and PhD, Esra set up Bristle & Brush with her husband, a business that makes natural and plastic-free watercolors.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
Foundations
- Brief History of Islamic Patterns, Manuscripts, and Illumination
- Materials
- Grid and Biomorphic Motifs
- Colour Harmony and Painting
- Outlining
- U3
Drawing and Painting
- Drawing the Grid
- Adding the Biomorphs 1
- Adding the Biomorphs 2
- Tracing and Transferring
- Painting Motifs
- Outlining with Ink and Paint
- Painting the Background
- U4
Sun Rays and Social Media
- Adding Sun Rays
- Community and Social Media
- FP
Final project
- Introduction to Islamic Art: Create Biomorphic Patterns
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FAQs
Yes, this course is beginner-friendly and walks you through the basics of geometric grids, biomorphic motifs, painting techniques, and manuscript illumination in Islamic art.
You’ll need pencils, rulers, compass, watercolor or gouache paints, brushes, tracing paper, suitable paper for gold leaf, Indian ink, and optional gold or metallic pigments for illumination.
You’ll learn to construct geometric grids, create biomorphic motifs, paint with natural pigments, outline with ink, apply gold leaf, and replicate as well as personalize traditional Islamic manuscript patterns.
No prior art or Islamic pattern experience is required. The course starts with foundational techniques and gradually builds up to more advanced pattern creation and illumination skills.
The course teaches you step-by-step how to draw grids using a compass and ruler, including eight-pointed stars and dynamic square grids as frameworks for your patterns.
Biomorphic patterns use organic, flowing shapes inspired by nature. You’ll learn to draw these from scratch, arrange them using geometric grids, and adapt motifs for your own designs.
Yes, the course covers preparing and applying gold leaf, shell gold, and using natural pigments for painting and illumination techniques found in Islamic manuscripts.