Painting Nature in Nim Qalam (Siyah Qalam)
5-week online series with Lubna Zahid
April 25 - May 23 (5 Fridays) | 11 am - 2 pm ET
course fee: $230
(Open to all skill levels ages16 and up| Recordings will be available)
Course Description:
Nim qalam in Persian means “half pen” while Siyah means “black.” Derived from Persian and Mughal artistic traditions, Siyah Qalam is a drawing technique that utilizes black ink or paint to create expressive monochrome artworks.
The course explores foundational brush techniques, tonal shading, and the delicate interplay of light and shadow.
This course is suitable for beginners and experienced artists alike.
Session 1 (April 25): Paper Preparation
Learn to dye and prepare the paper surface in the traditional method.
Session 2 and 3 (May 2 & 9): Painting Landscapes in Nim Qalam Style
Create a captivating landscape using shades of black, gray, and sepia to evoke depth, texture, and atmosphere.
Session 4 & 5 (May 16 & 23) Birds of the Quran in Nim Qalam Style
Learn to draw stylized majestic birds mentioned in the Quran using the delicate Nim Qalam technique.
What you will learn
Learn to dye your paper to prepare a colored surface for painting
Learn the foundational principles of Nim Qalam, including precision drawing, shading, and ink-wash techniques to create depth and subtle tonal variations.
Learn to use fine, fluid brushstrokes characteristic of Nim Qalam to capture intricate details.
Compose harmonious landscapes inspired by the elements of nature and traditional aesthetics.
Create miniature artwork blending traditional and modern methods, to show your artistic expression.
Materials List
For Preparing Paper:
Watercolor hot-pressed paper 140 lb. (around 9x12 inches), loose several sheets. Recommended brand (Fabriano Artistico).
1.5” roll of brown gum tape for stretching paper.
Any art board (bigger than your paper size).
A burnisher, you may use a gilders burnisher, an agate stone, or the back of a spoon.
A flat 1-inch brush.
Alum crystals (about 2-3 tbsp).
Eggs (3-4).
Black tea (boil 4-5 teabags in two cups of water for 5 minutes, let it steep) when cold, stain it in a jam jar.
Extra empty jam jar, and a fork or a whisk.
For Painting:
Tracing paper (to transfer images).
HB pencil.
Soft eraser.
Red ochre powder.
Any sketchbook or practice paper.
Watercolor brushes: good quality pointed round # 000,1, 3, 6 or closer numbers. Sable or Synthetic blend (Recommended brand: Raphael 8404 or Winsor & Newton Series 7).
Ink: Chinese (Sumi) and Walnut Ink.
Gouache Paints: White(Not Acrylic Gouache). And, any good-quality watercolors.
A palette or a white ceramic dinner plate.
An eye dropper.
Two small containers for water.
Instructor Bio:
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 including the Smithsonian’s Freer and Sackler Galleries. She lives in the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area.
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.
IG: @lubnazahidart