Seeds of Light: Painting the Pomegranate Tree

About this course

The workshop introduces the cultural and symbolic role of the pomegranate in Persian tradition, including its connection with Yalda Night, alongside examples from Persian painting. Participants explore the geometric spiral as a structure for branches before developing a composition through basic drawing. The painting process covers transferring the design onto paper and building form, colour and detail with traditional techniques. Brushwork practice includes line work and pardaz, a shading method. The workshop ends with a group gathering featuring Hafez poetry and pomegranates, reflecting on the subject’s cultural meaning.

What you'll learn

• Explain aspects of the pomegranate’s cultural and symbolic significance in Persian tradition
• Use a geometric spiral structure to plan branches within a composition
• Develop a pomegranate tree design through basic drawing
• Practise Persian painting brushwork, including line work and pardaz shading
• Transfer a design onto paper and build painted form, colour and detail using traditional techniques

Is this course right for you?

Listed as suitable for all levels, the workshop introduces its drawing structure and painting techniques within the session. Participants develop their own composition and take part in a closing group gathering involving poetry and discussion of the subject’s cultural meaning.

• Suitable for learners at all levels
• Includes both individual composition and painting work and a shared closing gathering
• The session includes cultural context alongside technical instruction