Introduction to Afghan Manuscript Illumination
6-Session Weekend Course

The beautiful decorations of religious and secular manuscripts are centuries-old Islamic traditions. In this beginning course, Sughra Hussainy, a graduate of Turquoise Mountain Institute in Kabul, Afghanistan, teaches elements of gold-leaf manuscript illumination in the Afghan tradition. Students create geometric, vegetable, and floral motifs and nature-based designs using graph and tracing paper and transfer their designs onto fine-art paper. They then learn to color the designs with opaque watercolors, outline them in black ink, and apply illuminations using gold leaf and gum Arabic to create stunning ornamentation for calligraphy, manuscripts, and more.

Some shared supplies provided.

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6 sessions; 3 hours each