PERSIAN MINIATURE COURSE
The courses aim to not only make you familiar with the beauty of this art, but also teach you in an authentic way. These courses do not just focus on the techniques, they provide you with required knowledge and skill of drawing
UPCOMING COURSE
Persian Miniature Painting
Human Figures
(Drawing & Painting)
Organised by SOAS Iranian Arts Society
Date: Saturdays, 25 Jul- 19 Sep 2026
Time: 16:00- 18:00
(BST)
The course will be held on 8 weeks on Saturdays, (Please note that
there will be no class on 8 August.)
Type of Event: Zoom Online Course
Course Fee: £250
Join us as we discover the people who inhabit the world of Persian miniature painting. Explore how people were depicted in these paintings, become familiar with their clothing, gestures, and activities. Together, let us appreciate the beauty hidden in their simple-looking faces and exquisite ornamentation of their garments. Drawing on selected examples from 15th- and 16th-century Persian miniature paintings, the course introduces both the artistic techniques and the aesthetic principles that define this rich tradition.
The course will focus on human figures in Persian miniature paintings and various essential details involved in drawing and painting them. In this course you will learn:
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How to draw proportionate human figures in the Persian miniature style
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How to draw the facial features in the style of Persian Miniature (mainly 15th and 16th centuries)
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Practice the various postures
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How to draw the turban, shawls and traditional garments
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What is the traditional colour palette used in Persian miniature
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How to prepare paper for painting
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How to outline the garments folds, and apply decorative ornamentations
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How to render fine hair and delicate facial details
The course begins with a brief introduction, looking at development of the representations of human figures. We will take a look at a selection of paintings to understand the characteristic poses, and style conventions through which human figures came to represent.
The course is suitable for participants of all levels of experiences.Previous experience of brush techniques is helpful but not essential.
Once you register, the list of the materials will be emailed to you.
The course will be running in 8 weeks with each session lasting120 minutes. Following a line of gradual development, students will be guided step by step through the process from the initial drawing to colouring and outlining stylised human figures. Individual feedback will be provided throughout the course to support each participant’s progress.
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.
MORE ABOUT THE COURSE
Early Bird Access: Register before 8 July and get a £10 discount!
PAST WORKSHOPS
Horse in Persian Miniature:
Introduction to Drawing & Painting
In this course, you will learn the proportional horse drawing and a few poses. The course will also introduce rendering techniques of depicting horses in Persian miniature paintings.
We won't be preparing the paper during this workshop. Instead, you will receive an access link that will guid you through the paper preparation process.
PAST INTERMEDIATE COURSES
A Poetic Landscape of Your Own
Organised by Iranian Arts Society, SOAS
Learn how to create your own poetic landscape by blending traditional methods with your personal artistic vision, how to interpret poetry visually by transforming the words into narrative scenes, understand the use of space, gain hands-on experience in the fundamental traditional techniques.
Learning through reproduction: The Seven Beauties
Organised by Iranian Arts Society, SOAS
Learn how to create your own poetic landscape by blending traditional methods with your personal artistic vision, how to interpret poetry visually by transforming the words into narrative scenes, understand the use of space, gain hands-on experience in the fundamental traditional techniques.
PAST INTRODUCTORY COURSES
Birds & Flowers
in
Persian Art:
Drawing 1
Organised by Iranian Arts Society, SOAS
Learn how to draw every single motifs, practice the intricate line work and study the tonal value while creating a harmonious composition
Birds & Flowers
in
Persian Art:
Colouring 1
Organised by Iranian Arts Society, SOAS
Learn how to colour every single motifs, practice the shading technique which is essential to this style of painting.
The Natural World
in
Persian Miniature
Organised by Iranian Arts Society, SOAS
Learn how to draw, paint, outline and shade various details of nature as well as the birds in Persian miniatures.
Architecture of Mosques &
Madrasas
in
Persian Miniature
Organised by Iranian Arts Society, SOAS
Learn how to differentiate mosque & madrasa buildings from other types of the buildings in Persian miniatures, how to construct a proportional madrasa building, arrange decorative panels, draw geometric and biomorphic pattens in the context, and how to render the details.
Landscape
in
Persian Miniature
Organised by Iranian Arts Society, SOAS
Learn how to draw, paint, outline and shade various natural elements as seen in Persian miniatures.
Architecture
in
Persian Miniature
Organised by Iranian Arts Society, SOAS
Learn to construct a proportional building, arrange decorative panels, draw geometric and biomorphic pattens in context, and how to paint, outline and shade them.
Human figure
in
Persian Miniature
Organised by Iranian Arts Society, SOAS
Learn to draw proportional figures and the facial details, decorate their garments, paint, outline and render the fine details.
Birds
in
Persian Miniature
Organised by Iranian Arts Society, SOAS
Learn to draw Peacock, dove, goose and falcon, various postures of them, paint, outline and render the fine details.
Mythical Creatures
in
Persian Miniature
Organised by Iranian Arts Society, SOAS
Learn to draw the Simurgh and Dragon, various postures of them, paint, outline and render the fine details, using two different techniques.
