Golden Flower Art Challenge March 2022

Golden Flower Art Challenge March 2022

Spring is around the corner and the world is a mess with Covid and the start of war…. sigh, but we shall try to escape for an hour a day to paint flowers, to recharge our energy and to of course practice our skills!

2021 golden flower challenge was really fun and every year, I get to e-meet a lot of talented individuals.

By the way, if you are not familiar with this challenge let me tell you more about. This is the Sixth year of the annual challenge and it's basically a free community activity, where I provide you with flower templates to paint to improve your brush-work skills and colour selection for 14 days. It is also a nice way to welcome the beautiful Spring season with all the flowers that will blossom soon.

Floral motifs have a very important role within Islamic patterns and you can see them highlighted beautifully in the Safavid, Ottoman and Mughal periods. They were used before and after those periods as well, but my favourite examples come from those three.

I wasn't sure of which floral subject to choose for this year, but after spending MANY MANY hours online browsing online museums and libraries I decided on Mughal flowers that come from manuscript borders and even though I taught the subject few times since last year, most people voted for it to be our subject for this year!

Images from 2021 golden flower challenge:

Golden Flower Challenge

Join me from Monday 7th March for 14 days

(until the 20th of March) to paint one flower per day.

If you can't make time on these dates you can still join when it's good for you. I will still come have a look if you mention me or tag me.

The source of all flowers is a stunning manuscript page.

It is a portrait of Itimad Al-dawla and can be found in the National Museum of Asian Art

Portrait of Itimad Al-dawla

"Itimad Al-dawla, whose actual name was Ghiyath Beg, was originally from Iran and had served under Akbar in the Mughal court. Upon ascending the throne in 1905, Jahangir appointed him the head of the Treasury and gave him the honorific title, Itimad Al-dawla, which literally means "Trusted of the State."

After Jahangir's marriage to his daughter, Nur Jahan, in 1611, Itimad Al-dawla became even more powerful in the court, and the affairs of the state were handled by Nur Jahan, her father, and brother, Asaf Khan.  It was Itimad Al-dawla's granddaughter, Mumtaz Mahal (the daughter of Asaf Khan) who became the beloved wife of Shah Jahan.  Itimad al-dawla died in January 1622 and was buried in a white marble mausoleum in Agra built by his daughter.

The portrait represents the subject as an elderly minister, holding a sheet of paper. Several versions of this portrait are known to exist, including an 18th century copy owned by the Freer Gallery of Art (F1907.253).  It has been suggested that this portrait is also a later copy of an original which is now lost."

Below are the floral templates you can paint. Either by following the originals above or by developing your own painting style. Click to enlarge and save or print. Ps. The rest of the flower templates will be posted during the week!

Bonus: Spring Celebration (Day 15!) - Optional

PLEASE NOTE: This is a personal challenge and it should not be used for commercial gain.

How to paint the flowers?

First thing you want to do is trace the design in pencil and then transfer it to a watercolour paper by turning the tracing paper onto the pencil side and trace again.

Once you have your design you can paint it in anyway you want:

  • I usually start with one layer of colours or gold

  • then outline the design in black ink and a brush

  • Then add secondary colours or shading.

You can do it however you want and I will be sharing process images on instagram if you want to do the same.

Art Supplies for the Golden Flower challenge:

I highly recommend using what you already have at home, but if you really want to get something new or want to use the same things I will be using then checkout these recommendations below. You don't have to buy new art supplies if you already have some. Always try to use what you have. You can also check your local art supply store for deals and other options.

Tools: Printed Flower Design, Tracing Paper, Pencils, brushes,  real gold or gouache gold, watercolours and/or gouache colours.

  • Gold gouache or watercolour - You can try the gold paint I make on Bristle and Brush. I will be using it for this challenge along with other watercolours.

  • Watercolour (you can use any brand you like, but I use the Bristle & Brush paints I make myself)

  • Black ink (amazon UK link) (amazon US link)

  • Pro Arte Brushes (Series 101 or 202) or any brushes you own as long as they are fine and thin (Amazon UK link) (Amazon US link).

Share your golden flowers & find other participants on social media!

Share your completed flower on instagram or Facebook and please tag me on @islamicillumination and add these hashtags so we can all find each other! #GoldenFlowerChallenge2022 #GFC22

Take a look at the challenge paintings via the instagram hashtags #GoldenFlowerChallenge2022 #GFC22

You can also copy this caption if you like:

This flower is part of the #GoldenFlowerChallenge2022 #GFC22 by @islamicillumination
We are painting one flower a day for 14 days to practice our painting and illumination skills.
You can participate too by visiting www.islamicillumination.com

Benefits of this Art challenge:

  • Understand the floral language in Persian biomorphic patterns.

  • Practice your painting skills.

  • Practice ink and brush outlining.

  • Satisfy your soul with some art! (A golden flower a day keeps the doctor away?)

Things you can do with your flower:

  • Turn them into a card
    and give them to your friends and family for all the upcoming occasions

  • Hang them in your house
    I am sure any house would use a series of sparkly flowers!

  • Add them to other creative projects
    Golden flowers are so versatile and you can find some use for them or include them in other creative projects.

If you loved this challenge and want to improve your illumination skills further, you can join one of the recorded courses, in-person London courses or join the monthly Illumination Club

The Illumination Club

£15.00

Every month

£165.00

Every year

Biomorphic Pattern Analysis Course

A Pattern Tour of Uzbekistan with Esra and Samira

For more fun challenges and future announcements, please sign up to my monthly newsletter, where you will get notified about all my upcoming workshops, art plans and all my inspiring arty related things!

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