Explore a painting tradition that has remained largely unchanged for hundreds of years. Students will be taken through step-by-step techniques rooted in the time of Akbar and the Mughal ateliers of northern India. Each stage of completing a miniature painting in the Mughal tradition – from preparing handmade paper, mixing paint, burnishing with agate stone, to finally learning how to use a squirrel hair brush for fine detailing and perdacht (shading) and applying a decorated borders – will be taught in this week-long masterclass.
Having followed rigorous traditional training under miniaturist Mehendra Sharma, and painting for more than 34 years, master of Indian miniature painting Ajay Sharma provides students a thorough understanding of the materials, procedures and skills required to make a traditional Mughal miniature painting. With the assistance of Vinita Sharma, also renowned for her expertise in pigments and shell gold, students will learn about different colours of gold and its application to the painting, as well as the technical care in working with delicate brushes.
A rare opportunity to work with established masters of this century old tradition, new and existing students of the miniature practice will receive insightful feedback from a living expert and gain incredible knowledge of the craft, deepening their understanding of the tradition and raising their practise to the next level.
Ajay Sharma is an exceptional teacher and Master of Indian Miniature painting. He brings authentic materials, paper, paints, khariya, etc from India which is hard to learn about elsewhere. The skills you learn with him are transferable to other parts of your practice. He teaches in patient and well planned way.
Open Programme Student, May 2025
Key Information
Who is this workshop for?
All levels of ability and experience welcome. You must be aged 18 or over to participate in our programmes.
How many people can attend?
14 people
What days/times do I attend?
Mon – Fri, 20 – 24 October 2025, 10:00 – 16:30
What materials do I need?
All other materials will be provided.
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.
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.
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.
Our normal terms and conditions apply.
Tutor Biography
Ajay Sharma
Ajay Sharma is a traditional miniature painter from Jaipur, Rajasthan. Having been an apprentice to the master miniaturist Mehendra Sharma, he follows a rigorous traditional working practice and has been painting almost every day for 34 years. Ajay has an extensive knowledge of all the aspects of Indian painting, from the beginning stages of catching the squirrels needed to make brushes (no squirrels are killed) to the final stages of adding exquisite details and decoration. Ajay has taught around the world and every year teaches Fulbright scholars from his home studio in Rajasthan.
Vinita Sharma
Vinita Sharma, born in Jaipur, India, mastered the art of miniature painting under the tutelage of Ajay Sharma in 1993. Renowned for her expertise in pigments, brushes, and gold leaf, Vinita has conducted workshops worldwide, including at The Heenat Salma Farm in Doha, Qatar, and Les Beaux-Arts de Marseille-Paris. She has also taught at Virginia Commonwealth University in Doha.
Her art is featured in prestigious collections, including Kala Bhavana, Nandan Museum, and Buckingham Palace.
