Paintings by Nisar Ahmed Mian

Miniatures by Nisar Ahmed Mian
written by Hugh McDonald
Nisar Mian studied the art of Mughal miniature painting (also called Moghul)
at the National College of Art in Lahore Pakistan. This is a style that
developed over centuries. A miniature picture could take a year to paint, and
accomplished artists were much in demand. Many artists from the school
have worked in this style, often combining some techniques and elements
with modern techniques. Over time, we will show examples of Nisars works
done in this style. You will also find here some techniques. Students in the
Lahore school learn to prepare their own paper, make their own brushes
(from hairs of a chipmunks tail, which is released unharmed).
Techniques of Mughal Miniature Painting: these techniques may be

useful to artists using other styles of painting as well.
Examples of Nisars miniature art: this section will be expanded soon
with more examples.
Links to other sites with examples of Mughal miniatures, plus some
artists who have adapted the techniques to a more modern style.
Nisars Miniature Paintings
1965 Corvette (sold)this picture is miniature, although not strictly in the

moghul style. The car in the original is around 4 inches long. Done on
commission.
A detail of a miniature by Nisar, based on a classical theme.

Nisars early miniature works have all been either sold, lost, or stolen, and
the above xerox copy is all that remains of that body of work. However,
there should be new and interesting work here soon. Click on the image to
see at a larger size.
Mughal Miniature Techniques
Making Wasli Paper
Mughal miniatures are painted on

Wasli paper. Wasli paper is
several sheets of paper glued
together and rubbed until shiny
and smooth. This is what you will
need:
wheat flour
water
a piece of wooden board to
work on
another heavy piece of wood
board to lay on top the Wasli
to keep it flat.
gum tape. This can be the
tape used by butchers, or
purchased in an art store. It
has gum on one side, and
must be wetted in order to
adhere.
the paper. We used some
blank newsprint paper. We
used extra
A polished stone. This is
used to rub the paper when it
is dry, until it is extremely
polished and smooth. In
Pakistan, the artists use a
special large stone. Nisar
found a polished piece of
marble the shape and size of
an egg for this purpose, but
would prefer a large piece of
stone. Other artists
experimenting with this
technique have used large
heavy glass bottles, though
these are not as good.
a natural sponge for mopping
up excess glue.
To make the paste, mix two heaping tablespoons of flour with half a cup of
water and mix thoroughly. It is best to let it sit in the refrigerator for a couple
of hours so lumps are dissolved. Boil 2 cups of water, and slowly mix this
paste in the water and remove from heat. Strain the paste to remove any
lumps. As soon as the paste is cool enough to touch you are ready. One
recipe for wheat paste suggests adding a tiny amount of alum (a common
preservative) which acts as a preservative and also may make the paste
more waterproof when dry, but in this case Nisar did not do this.
Lay the first sheet of paper flat on your board, spread the wheat paste
generously on top, and spread it around with the palms of your hands into
the paper. Work from the middle to move bubbles out from under the paper
so they will escape from the side.
Then take your second piece of paper, spread wheat paste on one side,
then lay the side with the paste down on the first piece of paper. Wash the
paste from your hands, and then rub the paper with your palms. Work the
bubbles out from the middle. If you ever put wallpaper on a wall, you know
how to do this. Repeat the process with more pieces of paper. You can
make it 4 pieces of paper thick, or more.
When you have placed the last piece of paper, it will not have paste on the
top side. As you rub it, the paste will soak through the paper. Use a moist
sponge to dab the paper and pick up the paste. Then wet the paper and rub
it some more, always working from the center. Paper stretches when wet,
and shrinks as it dries, so the top piece of paper must be as wet as the
others or else they will warp when drying.
A TIP. When you are working with this last piece of paper, you can use a pin
and poke just a few holes here and there. This will allow bubbles to escape.
While the paper is still wet, you
use the gum tape to attach it to the
board. You wet the tape gently on
the side with gum, and then use it
to attach the paper to the board.
When the project is finished and
the paper is dry you can remove
the tape by moistening it again.
A TIP. Use a sharp knife to cut a

line at the corners of the tape.
When the paper shrinks this will
prevent the paper from ripping in
two or buckling. This is also useful
in stretching and drying water-
colour paper.
Next, you lay a clean sheet of

paper on top of the wasli to blot up
excess moisture. Then you can lay
more paper (this time, ordinary
newspaper will do) on top of this,
and place your second board on
top to press it down. It will
probably dry within three days, but
this may be shorter or longer
depending on temperature and
humidity. We have not completely
experimented with the idea of
using an iron to accelerate this
process, but it may work.
Finally, when the paper is dry, use

your polishing stone (or whatever
you have) and rub the paper until it
is very smooth and shiny. What
you will have is an extremely
smooth paper that can accept the
tiniest brush strokes and details,
and which will not warp when you
use water-based paints. You can
cut the paper into smaller pieces if
you want to paint miniatures.
Artists commonly stain wasli paper
with tea.
Next you draw your design on the paper. Sometimes you may transfer a
drawing using carbon or graphite transfer paper, or you may draw free hand.
Then ink in your drawing. In Pakistan, artist often use a special ink stick
which they can dip in water and sharpen. In North America, pens and
brushes are more likely. Outline your drawing using India ink that has been
diluted with water. When the India Ink drawing is thoroughly dry, paint over it
with white water-colour or gouache (such as zinc-white). (The writer may
attempt the same thing with traditional gessomarble dust, rabbit-skin glue,
and white pigmentbut this is not the traditional Mughal technique). The
India Ink drawing will show through the white paint just enough to serve as a
guide. We hope to show soon an example of a painting in progress with
more information on technique.
Links
To see classical and modern examples of Mughal style painting (miniature
and otherwise), visit some of the following sites:
Brief Introduction to Mughal miniatures

The Adventures of Hamza. EXCELLENT animated presentation of an
illustrated book created in 1557 for a Mughal emperor.
Mughal Miniature Paintings
Imran Qureshi: an artist who studied in Lahore who uses some
traditional elements.
Nusra Latif Qureshi: combines traditional and contemporary elements.
Shazhia Sikander: an renowned artist who uses some traditional
elements, now in the United States.
Aisha Kahlid: combines tradition and modernity.
An example: a painting (c. 1600) called "Meeting of the Saints".
Khoj Internation Artists Workshop: some artists who combine
traditional and modern ideas.
Saira Wasim: an artist from Lahore who does the Mughal style:
To contact Nisar: gallery@vaxxine.com. Note: this is not Mr. Mians personal

e-mail account, but messages will be forwarded to him.
To go to the top level page:Nisar Ahmed Mian

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Paintings by Nisar Ahmed Mian

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Miniatures by Nisar Ahmed Mian

written by Hugh McDonald

Techniques of Mughal Miniature Painting: these techniques may be

Nisars Miniature Paintings

1965 Corvette (sold)this picture is miniature, although not strictly in the

A detail of a miniature by Nisar, based on a classical theme.

Mughal miniatures are painted on

A TIP. Use a sharp knife to cut a

Next, you lay a clean sheet of

Finally, when the paper is dry, use

Brief Introduction to Mughal miniatures

To contact Nisar: gallery@vaxxine.com. Note: this is not Mr. Mians personal

To go to the top level page:Nisar Ahmed Mian

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