Islamic Biomorphic Patterns: Drawing, Painting and Illuminating Motifs Inspired by the Natural World

A practical guide to drawing and painting beautiful Islamic botanical patterns.

The ancient art of Islamic pattern is steeped in tradition, with dazzling motifs inspired by geometry and nature. Islamic biomorphic patterns are the floral, organic and flowing designs that usually sit within a geometric frame and are often referred to as Nabati, Arabesque, Islimi or Rumi. These patterns can be found on anything from grand architectural monuments to illuminated manuscripts.

In this practical guide, learn how to analyse 12 patterns from the Islamic world, such as Iznik ceramics from Turkey and mosaic tiling from Uzbekistan, and draw them with a combination of geometry and freehand technique with the help of clear step-by-step diagrams.

Experienced artist Dr Esra Alhamal then guides you through the process of preparing your paper, outlining with ink and exploring both contemporary and traditional painting methods with watercolour or gouache. The book also demonstrates how to make and paint with shell gold to create stunning Islamic illumination.

Soon you will have the knowledge to understand how these biomorphic patterns came to be and will gain the skills to recreate the designs and paint them beautifully.

Esra Alhamal teaches online classes in Islamic illumination (via her website and her popular Domestika course), is the host of the Art Illuminated podcast and the co-founder of Bristle and Brush, an artisan watercolour shop. Esra completed a PhD in Islamic biomorphic patterns at the University of East London in 2022. Her artwork has been exhibited in the UK, Saudi, Bahrain and Oman.