An Introduction to Floral Borders in Indo-Persian Illuminations
3-week online art series with Lubna Zahid
April 2 - 17, 2026 (Thurs and Fri) | 10 am - 12:30 pm ET
Fee: $240
Recordings will be available | Open to all levels, ages 16 and up
Course Description:
Borders with Naturalism in flora
In this 3-week online series, participants will learn to draw and paint flowering plants found in borders in the illuminated folios of Indo-Persian paintings. Follow in the footsteps of Mughal-era artists who decorated these lavish borders with naturalistic blossoms, painted in gold and opaque watercolors. Their floral compositions reflected the Mughals’ deep interest in gardens and flowering plants.
Participants will learn the methodology with practical demonstrations, including layering, color mixing and painting techniques.
In this course, you will learn to:
Draw and compose flowers in a composition for a border.
Learn to compose a corner in a border.
The foundational techniques of Nim Qalam and Gad-Rang in the Indo-Persian tradition.
Shading and various techniques to create depth and subtle tonal variations.
Use of fine and fluid brushstrokes to capture intricate details.
Recordings will be accessible for 3 months after the course ends.
Course Schedule
Class will meet twice a week on Thursdays and Fridays (6 total sessions)
Session 1 & 2 - April 2 and 3 (Thurs and Fri) | 10 am - 12:30 pm ET (2.5 hours)
Session 3 & 4- April 9 and 10 (Thurs and Fri) | 10 am - 12:30 pm ET (2.5 hours)
Session 5 & 6- April 16 and 17 (Thurs and Fri) | 10 am - 12:30 pm ET (2.5 hours)
Supplies List
Paper
-Any Sketchbook or Practice paper.
-Canson Mi-Teintes Art Board.16” X20”, Color: Oyster or closer.
-Graphite paper to transfer images. Saral Transfer Paper (Wax Free).
-Tracing paper pad.
Brushes
-Watercolor brushes, good quality, round, pointed # 00, 0,1, 3, 6, or closer numbers: Natural hair (Squirrel or Sable) or Synthetic blend.
Gouache Paints: Red, Pink, Deep Blue, Green, Yellow, Black, White, and other colors of your choice.
Any good quality tube paints, suggested brands (Winsor & Newton, Holbein, Daniel Smith). Note: Make sure they are NOT acrylic gouache.
4. Gold Watercolor Paint: 1st choice Schmincke (pan), 2nd choice Finetec (Arabic gold), 3rd choice Winsor & Newton (Gold gouache).
5. Foot ruler.
6. Compass.
7. A large palette.
8. Graphite pencil, HB.
9. Soft White Eraser, recommended Factis OV12.
10. An eye Dropper.
11. Two small containers for water
SOURCES FOR SUPPLIES
Online:
https://www.jerrysartarama.com/
Art Stores:
Our Instructor
Lubna Zahid
Lubna Zahid is a classically trained fine artist who works in mixed media.
Strongly influenced by contemporary and classical calligraphy in Urdu, Arabic, and Persian, her pieces include texts in these languages. She experiments with bold renditions of Islamic decorative forms such as the Shamsa.
Lubna has exhibited her work in the United States and Pakistan. She teaches classes, workshops and seminars on art and art history in various venues. She is a Studio Art instructor at the Smithsonian.
Lubna received calligraphy and illumination training from master calligrapher Abbas Baghdadi. She works with a variety of media, including transparent watercolor, gouache, graphite, charcoal, ink, acrylics, gold leaf, and clay. Her techniques include glazing, pouring, layering, splashing, spattering, textural writing, and gilding. Lubna lives in the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area.
For more information about Lubna, please visit her website: https://www.lubnazahid.com/ | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lubnazahidart/