A Garden in the Palm of Your Hands: Flower Paintings in Mughal Albums

About this course

The course examines the floral imagery of Mughal albums through the creation of a miniature painting. Participants begin by making handmade vasli paper, using traditional processes including staining, sizing, gluing and burnishing. They then develop a floral composition and transfer it to the prepared surface. Painting instruction covers inking, colour flooding, blending and pardoz shading, with natural pigments prepared in class. A decorative border is added at the final stage.

What you'll learn

• Prepare handmade vasli paper using staining, sizing, gluing and burnishing techniques
• Develop and transfer a floral composition onto vasli paper
• Apply ink and natural pigments using colour flooding and blending
• Use pardoz to create shaded detail
• Complete a Mughal-style floral painting with a decorative border

Is this course right for you?

The course is listed as suitable for all levels. It follows a structured sequence from paper preparation and composition through to painting and decorative finishing, with participants working through each stage of a floral miniature.

Before you go

• Vasli paper is made during the course.
• Natural pigments are prepared in class.