Ottoman Miniatures

Ottoman Miniature

Growing out of the Persian miniature tradition was the Ottoman miniature tradition.  It also featured bright or contrasting colors.  Though Ottoman miniatures were sometimes displayed in albums, the tradition of miniature painting was strongly linked to poetry, storytelling and calligraphy, so that miniature painting was one part of an overall work.

Matrakci Nasuh was a famous miniature painter who created a new painting genre called topographic painting. Anticipating Picasso by quite some time, topographic painting combined figures observed from different viewpoints in one work.  This lead to a somewhat abstract quality to the works.

With the advent of the printing press, the call for hand-created books and their miniatures declined.  Also, Ottoman painting styles became more and more westernized as time went by.  In the 1930s, it was classified as a decorative traditional art by the new Turkish Republic and new artists have emerged with the revival of training.

Beginning to freak out

I'm beginning to worry if I can do this challenge.  Forget about realistic -- I'm wondering if it is even possible to do.  This moving stuff has really thrown me for a loop, and everything is in disarray.  I'm stressed out an unprepared -- is it a good idea to even try this, or am I setting myself up for failure?

If anyone has some words of wisdom (or reassurance) for me, I could really use them right about now.

Persian Miniatures

Miniature painting became a significant art form in Persia during the 13th century.  In the Persian culture, poetry and miniature complement each other, and throughout the centuries artists have adorned great works such as the "Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam" with colorful, intricate images. In addition to illustrating texts, Persian miniatures were also a separate art form that were kept in albums.  Persian miniature painting was influenced by Chinese art, and was influential on Indian Mughal painting as well as later Ottoman miniatures.

Persian miniatures are often composed of geometric architectural elements among which figures are arranged.  In later miniatures, compositions are framed by elaborate geometrical or botanical borders. Overall, Persian miniatures are known for brilliant colors and graceful composition.

Under Drawings

So I managed to do five under drawings over the weekend.  Considering I usually paint from life, and not the "mind's eye", doing under drawings ahead of time is a bit of a departure for me.  Still, given the moving and everything, getting even a little bit of "outlining" done for November is an accomplishment.