The ancient Technique...

The ancient Technique...

While I was researching and interviewing some of the professional Iranian painters, some of whom were miniaturists, I came cross an ancient Persian painting technique that we don't use anymore. 

In this technique, while the painting is still wet the artist grinds gold paper over the painting; this technique can also be applied on dried paintings; however, the painting should first be brushed with some oil or terbantine.

So I used this unique technique to give an ancient look to my painting.

Techniques...

Since my painting is a combination of old and modern, I had to apply the same concept on the techniques :

1. Build up the painting layer by layer.

2. Using the  background color for the old looking parts and glazing for the shadows and the facial details.

Also following the Qajar's portrait style, disproportional.

3. For the modern panel I use thick paint with sharp colors.

4. After finishing the wood work part of the painting, I poured  Terbinatine on top and tapped with brush. 

...................After the painting is dry: (to give a modern look to the painting)

  Brush the top of the painting with lots of Terbinatine and use chunks of paint, mix the paints together with the brush very gently and then start to move the canvas up/down and let the paint run to the other part of the painting... This technique helps to get those lines that you can see in the image that I call "Modern crack forms."

................Final touch; 3D elements

  Choose the right size/color stones and accessories for parts of the crown and the garments.

  Use fabric paint for some parts to decorate the fabrics.

............... and life goes on.......

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Inspiration..

I got my inspiration from the Qajar Royal family, who created the Qajar Dynasty and ruled Iran from 1794-1925.

That Era revolutionized fashion and jewelry design; they used to decorated the fabrics with precious stones, gold and silver threads, which is amusing  how they came up with these techniques and designs at that time. So I always wanted to preserve these designs and keep what we had alive. I've been working on this idea for such a long time; and this project is a starting point for me to peruse this.

Shirin

Shirin's Eyes

The First Panel