Nature in Ottoman Miniature Painting
A Six-Week Online Course by Nagihan Seymour Course
Dates: 18 November – 23 December 2026
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 6:00–8:00 pm (UK time)
Duration: 6 weeks · 2 hours per week
Platform: Zoom
This six-week online course, delivered live via Zoom, introduces participants to the art of depicting nature within the
tradition of Ottoman miniature painting. The course is designed to be practical and hands-on, with step-by-step
demonstrations and guided painting exercises throughout each session. Participants will have the opportunity to
practise techniques during the lessons and develop their skills with guidance from the tutor.
Each week focuses on a key natural element — clouds, trees, rocks and stones, rivers and the sea — exploring their
symbolism, historical significance and traditional representation in Ottoman art.
To support continuous learning and individual development:
Live interactive lessons: Weekly two-hour sessions delivered via Zoom, with practical demonstrations and hands-on
exercises.
Weekly homework: Students will receive assignments to practise and develop the techniques covered in each lesson.
Individual feedback: Weekly feedback will be provided to help students assess their progress, improve their techniques
and develop their confidence.
Lesson recordings: All sessions will be recorded and made available to students for three months, allowing them to revisit
demonstrations and practise at their own pace.
Week 1: Cloud Motifs in Ottoman Miniature
Introduction to Ottoman miniature painting and its historical context.
Exploring the symbolism and cultural significance of clouds in traditional Ottoman art.
Studying different cloud styles and their use in historical miniatures.
Learning to draw various cloud motifs according to weather conditions and the desired atmosphere of a composition.
Exploring traditional colouring techniques, including dotting, shading and outlining.
Guided demonstration of step-by-step cloud painting techniques.
Week 2: Trees in Ottoman Miniature Painting
Exploring the representation and symbolism of trees in Ottoman miniature painting.
Studying historical examples featuring different tree motifs.
Learning to draw various miniature trees, including cypress trees, flowering trees and leafless trees.
Understanding the placement and arrangement of trees within miniature compositions.
Exploring traditional colouring techniques, including dotting, shading and outlining.
Guided demonstration of step-by-step tree painting techniques.
Week 3: Rocks and Stones in Ottoman Miniature Painting
Exploring the representation of rocks and stones in historical Ottoman miniatures.
Studying different styles and forms of rock formations.
Learning to draw rocks and stones step by step.
Understanding their role in creating depth, balance and structure within a composition.
Exploring traditional painting techniques, including colour application, shading and fine detailing.
Guided demonstration of painting rocks and stones using suitable paints and brushes.
Week 4: Rivers and the Sea in Ottoman Miniature Painting
Introduction to water motifs in Ottoman miniature painting.
Exploring the traditional representation of rivers, flowing water and the sea.
Learning techniques to capture movement, flow and reflections.
Practising the drawing of rivers, with particular attention to curves and the arrangement of water elements.
Exploring traditional colour palettes for water motifs.
Studying different painting styles and following a guided demonstration of painting rivers and water in miniature.
Week 5: Nature Composition – Design and Painting
Understanding the principles of composition in Ottoman miniature painting.
Learning how to combine clouds, trees, rocks, rivers and other natural elements harmoniously.
Exploring balance, proportion, movement and the arrangement of motifs.
Developing an original nature-inspired landscape design.
Transferring the composition onto watercolour paper.
Introduction to layering techniques and planning the different stages of painting.
Beginning the practical painting process using traditional miniature colour palettes.
Week 6: Nature Composition – Painting and Finishing Techniques
Continuing the nature composition developed in the previous session.
Exploring traditional colour application and layering techniques to create depth and texture.
Painting and refining individual natural elements within the composition.
Developing details through dotting, shading, outlining and fine brushwork.
Adding highlights and finishing touches.
Understanding how to achieve harmony and consistency across the composition.
Completing the nature-inspired Ottoman miniature landscape.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the six-week course, participants will:
Understand the fundamentals of depicting nature in Ottoman miniature painting.
Recognise the symbolism and cultural significance of natural motifs.
Develop drawing skills for clouds, trees, rocks, stones and water.
Gain practical experience in traditional miniature painting techniques.
Understand traditional colour palettes and the use of appropriate painting materials.
Develop an understanding of composition, balance and the arrangement of natural elements.
Apply layering, dotting, shading, outlining and fine-detailing techniques.
Design and complete their own nature-inspired Ottoman miniature landscape.