Storybook Paintings – A Workshop on Illustration Inspired by Manuscripts

Led by artist Mohammed bin Ibraheem Alwadee

In a quiet corner surrounded by colours and stories, children gathered to dive into the world of visual storytelling during the “Illustration Inspired by Story Manuscripts” workshop, led by artist Mohammed Alwadee, known for his deep expertise in manuscript illustration and ornamentation.

The workshop began with an interactive visual narrative, where participants explored examples of Islamic manuscripts and hand-illustrated story scenes once adorned with gold and natural pigments. Step by step, they learnt to analyse the artistic composition of illustrated scenes and discovered how a story can be transformed into a richly detailed image.

With their pens and colours, the children reimagined scenes from traditional Arab tales or their invented fantasies, engaging in a creative process that combined storytelling, visual imagination, and artistic design. This hands-on experience beautifully bridged the past with the present.

The artist Mohammed Alwadee, who has previously led similar workshops, successfully simplified complex artistic concepts through an engaging and interactive approach. His style allowed the children to embody both storyteller and illustrator simultaneously, igniting within them a love for manuscript art as a priceless visual and cultural treasure.

By the end of the workshop, the tables were filled with vibrant scenes reflecting rich visual storytelling. Each child left holding a hand-drawn story from their imagination, a tale told with a small brush and a big heart.