Introduction to Islamic Art: Create Biomorphic Patterns
Grid and Biomorphic Motifs
A course by Esra Alhamal , Artist, Educator, and Podcaster
Joined May 2021
About the video: Grid and Biomorphic Motifs
Overview
“Now, I will show you the importance of grids, the type of grids that can be used, and also common biomorphic motifs.”
In this video lesson Esra Alhamal addresses the topic: Grid and Biomorphic Motifs, which is part of the Domestika online course: Introduction to Islamic Art: Create Biomorphic Patterns. Delve into the rich history of Islamic art to draw and paint intricate patterns that honor tradition and encourage experimentation.
Partial transcription of the video
“In this lesson, I'm going to tell you about the geometric grid that are usually underlying the biomorphic patterns. When we look at the biomorphic patterns, we see the beautiful curves and all the plant shapes. But something that not a lot of people realize is that all these patterns have a geometric grid. And I have two geometric words that are the most common. To use with biomorphic patterns. The first one is the six-pointed star, and the name comes from the star that you see in the center, and that is made of a collection of circles. The other one, it is the eight-pointed star, which is ...”
This transcript is automatically generated, so it may contain mistakes.
Course summary for: Introduction to Islamic Art: Create Biomorphic Patterns
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Category
Illustration -
Areas
Drawing, Ink Illustration, Painting, Pattern Design, Watercolor Painting

Esra Alhamal
A course by Esra Alhamal
Saudi artist, educator, and podcaster Esra Alhamal has dedicated her career to traditional Islamic art, experimenting with her own contemporary edge. She has a Bachelor’s of Arts in Interior Design, and a Master’s of Arts in Interior Architecture from London, where she is based. It was during her master’s that Esra spent her spare time taking Islamic pattern classes at the Prince's School of Traditional Arts.
Now a PhD candidate on the topic of traditional Islamic art history, she is determined to make the craft accessible and inspire others. She does so by sharing her expertise through workshops on the educational platform she founded, Islamic Illumination, and via her weekly podcast, Art Illuminated, which has received more than 15K downloads. Esra’s work has been exhibited in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain, and she has participated in collaborative shows in London. Alongside her art career and PhD, Esra set up Bristle & Brush with her husband, a business that makes natural and plastic-free watercolors.
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