About
Join this five-day intensive course and discover the traditional art of Kundal painting. Originating in Central Asia, this decorative style combines raised relief paste, rich pigments, and gilding to create vibrant ornamental designs.
Throughout the course, participants will learn about the history, design principles, materials, and techniques of Kundal decoration while creating and transferring traditional ornamental designs onto prepared panels. Participants will then build up the relief using a paste, before painting the richly coloured background and fine details.
Note: To ensure that everyone can complete a finished project within the course time frame, some contemporary materials and methods will be used alongside traditional techniques.
Key Information
Who is this course for?
All levels of ability and experience are welcome. You must be aged 18 or over to participate in our programmes.
What days do I attend?
Monday – Friday, 1 – 5 March 2027, 10:00 – 16:30
How many students can attend?
14 people
Where will this course take place?
This course will take place at our studios at The King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts, 19-22 Charlotte Road, London EC2A 3SG.
What should I bring to class?
All materials will be provided on this course.
Wear comfortable clothing that you do not mind getting slightly messy. Avoid wearing baggy clothing (especially sleeves), loose jewellery, high heels or open-toed shoes.
FAQs
Do you offer concessions?
Yes, we offer concessions for Seniors/60+, full-time students and people who are unemployed/in receipt of benefits.
Concessions cannot be applied in retrospect. To receive a concession, please apply via our online form. We will then send you a discount code to use when booking your space.
Terms & Conditions
The School reserves the right to discontinue or suspend a Course up to fourteen (14) calendar days before the advertised start date of the Course. This course requires a minimum number of enrollments to run.
The School may take and use images of you and/or your work for course advertisement and social media purposes.
Our normal terms and conditions apply.
Tutor Biography
Sorbon Shifoev has served as Head of the Department of Graphics and Miniature Painting at the Tajikistan State Institute of Art and Design since September 2018. Born on 12 April 1963 in Kulob, Khatlon Region, Republic of Tajikistan, Mr Shifoev is a distinguished Tajik artist and practitioner specializing in traditional decorative arts, particularly the art of Kundal painting.
He graduated from the Mirzorahmat Olimov Republican College of Fine Arts in 1982 and subsequently completed his higher education at the Mirzo Tursunzoda State Institute of Arts in 1990, where he specialized in Fine Arts and Cultural Education.
Throughout his professional career, Mr Shifoev has combined artistic practice with public service. Between 1985 and 1992, he worked as an artist for the Art Fund of the Union of Artists of Tajikistan. He later held several administrative positions, including Deputy Head of the Publishing Department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence of the Republic of Tajikistan. During different periods of his career, he devoted himself to independent artistic practice, continuing to develop and preserve the traditional decorative arts of Tajikistan. Since joining the Tajikistan State Institute of Art and Design in 2018, Mr Shifoev has been actively involved in teaching and promoting the traditional techniques of Kundal painting, mentoring young artists and contributing to the preservation of Tajik artistic heritage. In recognition of his contribution to the arts and public service, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (Khizmati Shoista) by the Republic of Tajikistan in 2023.
Collaboration
This course is made possible with the generous support of the Embassy of Tajikistan
