Overview
As part of Making Paradise exhibition’s learning programme, we are delighted to offer a series of free botanical drawing resources designed by Chloe Briggs, founder of Drawing is Free. Chloe is Chair of Foundation and coordinator of MA/MFA Drawing, and Drawing Instructor in the Fine Arts Programme, Paris College of Art. Chloe was invited to design a series, in partnership with Royal Horticultural Society Lindley Library, taking inspiration from works in their collection that are included in the Making Paradise exhibition.
Four Botanical Drawing Resource booklets can be downloaded for free below. They contain prompts, instructions and encouragement for drawing your own ‘Paradise Garden’, from plants, flowers, fruit and trees that are local to you. The resources combine traditional forms and structures of Islamic gardens, with close observational studies and detail influenced by selected botanical illustrations. You can expect to create new, original designs from the natural world that surrounds you. These resources are suitable for any age and any level of experience. They make great learning resources for teachers and group leaders.
We would love for you to share your creations with us on social media, using the following handles and hashtags:
@AgaKhanCentreGallery @AKCGallery @EsenKaya.Art @DrawingIsFree_Org @The_RHS
#BotanicalArt #Collections #RHSLibraries #MakingParadise #AgaKhanCentre #AKCGallery #DrawingIsFree #OnlineDrawingResources
Drawing Resource Introduction
An introduction by Chloe Briggs to a series of four ‘drawing resource’ booklets commissioned by Esen Kaya, curator at the Aga Khan Centre Gallery in London who created the exhibition ‘Making Paradise: Exploring the concept of Eden through Art & Islamic Garden Design’.
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Herbs and Perfume
Book two is an invitation to focus on the scent of common herbs typically found in Islamic gardens – smells such as basil, sage, rosemary, lavender or mint.
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Flowers and Colour
Book three introduces colour study and textiles to influence design work and paintings.
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Fruits and Form
Book four focuses on botanical drawings of fruit trees – focusing on the branch, blossom and details of the fruit.
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Download & print
We encourage you to download and print the documents to create a complete booklet, as shown by Chloe Briggs in the video below.