DESCRIPTION & OBJECTIVES

The Miniature Painting course extends the vocabulary of painting by drawing from a very traditional genre that has been reinterpreted to become part of the contemporary art vocabulary. The course places emphasis on traditional skills and techniques of miniature painting by studying and practicing the styles and conventions of masters from different stylistic schools. To understand the Modern Mughal style in its pure form, students initially reproduce miniatures especially from the Mughal traditions, which focus on understanding line, form, colour and rendering (Purdakht). As part of the traditional training methods, students are taught to prepare their own tools and materials under the guidance of their instructors. The preparation of pigments and surfaces (Wasli, the paper used for miniature painting) is integral to the course. Students are initiated to traditional techniques such as Gudrung as a means to understand the full range of the genre and its vocabulary. The course also integrates the appreciation of contemporary art practices within Miniature Painting through gallery and studio visits, workshops and artists’ talks. Critical evaluations are conducted on a regular basis to help develop an independent body of work in the final term.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To become familiar with the basic methods, techniques & tools of painting.
2. To take part in a community of artists.
3. To enjoy the challenging and nuanced processes of painting.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. On successful completion of the course students will be able to:
2. Recall the importance of the History of the Art of Miniature Painting for an artist.
3. Demonstrate the ability to make your own tools.
4. Command on creating a fine and controlled line (Khat).
5. Sketch the human proportion (Tanasub-e-Insani) in Miniatures.
6. Employ the basic rules of (Tarh) composition in Miniature art.

READINGS

1. A brief historical look at miniature art by Wes Siegrist
2. Indian painting by Philip S. Rawson
3. Painting for the Mughal emperor by Sausan  Stonger
4. T. Sobia, Introduction to Miniature Paintings Book, Department of Fine Arts,Lower Mall Campus, University of Education, Lahore.
5. Cornish Willies Joan. (1995). Miniature Painting: A Complete Guide to Techniques, Mediums, and Surfaces. Watson-Guptill Publications.
6. Johnson Elizabeth. (1994). How to Paint Miniatures: Step-by-step Projects in Watercolor, Gouache, and Oils. Wellfleet Press.

CONTENTS

• Persian Miniature Painting
• Indian miniature painting
• Mughal miniature
•  Miniature Boarders

Mid-term Exam:          30%

Final-term:                   50%

Sessional:                   20%

(Attendance 5% + Semester Assignments 15