Mini perspectives: Yes, art classes can be affordable

Miniature art workshop provides quality teaching and materials.

ISLAMABAD:

Affordable art seems to be the motto for the miniature art workshop being held at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) for the next two weeks.

The workshop is being convened by miniature artist and COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) Associate Professor of Architecture, Farah Mehmood Adnan. Situated in a large gallery where the walls are covered by miniature art pieces by Haji Sharrif, students both from various government colleges and professional artists sit on the floor taking instruction.

The first lesson had them rendering and shading with pencils to master the technique of painting fine lines, useful for when they switch to single-haired brushes, followed by a self-portrait assignment. The next step is learning the art of ornamentation and border decoration. As the week progresses, students will learn wasli papermaking which involves fusing five to seven layers together with copper sulphate.

Adnan sat patiently as each student brought their work for assessment. She feels the classes are integral to the artistic growth of her students, especially the younger set, and will help them in locating and appreciating their roots.

It was one of the reasons she opted to teach Mughal miniature art techniques during the workshop.

The workshop attracted students from a variety of disciplines, notably architecture. A young architecture student, Junaid, said that “learning any form of art is important [irrespective of discipline]. It helps in creating a certain degree of refinement in your work”.

The workshop provides high quality materials to ambitious young students at the affordable price of Rs1,000 per week including free snacks. At the workshop’s end, the best pieces will be displayed at the gallery. The workshop concludes on January 27.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 18^th, 2012.