Istanbul: Paint Your First İznik Tile with a Local Artist

Paint an Ottoman İznik Tile with your own hands in Istanbul and take it home.

İznik tiles are one of the most beautiful traditions of Turkish decorative art. In this small, relaxed workshop, you'll get to experience the technique yourself rather than simply looking at finished tiles.

We'll begin with a short visit to Rüstem pasha mosque, introducing one of Istanbul's most remarkable examples of the Golden Age of İznik tile art.

Then we'll head to a nearby café and start painting.

First, you'll practice the brush movements and painting technique on paper. I'll guide you through the small details that give traditional Turkish tile patterns their distinctive character.

You'll then receive a 10x10 tile with a contoured pattern based on a detail from the tiles of rüstem pasha mosque. Using what you've learned, you'll paint the pattern yourself in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

No previous drawing or painting experience is needed.

At the end, you'll have your own framed handmade piece to take home, display on your desk, or hang on your wall, along with a little experience of the traditional Turkish art of İznik tiles.
Minimum 3, maximum 6 people.