Mud Mirror Art
Making process of mud art begins with the selection of wood. It is either plywood or hard board that is used as the base for mud art at Kutch. The size of the wood is cut according to the requirement of the art piece. Sizes of this wood piece vary as per the necessity. Once the required size of wood is selected, the area of wood is measured using scale and compass to draw the initial sketch. Later the basic sketch is drawn over it.
Once the sketch is made the dough is prepared. This dough is prepared by mixing pottery clay, fine saw dust, white chalk powder and adhesive. Then the mixer is kneaded thoroughly on a hard flat surface until all the ingredients are mixed well and the dough becomes smooth. Later small shares of dough are taken and made into lengthy cylinders of varying thickness by rolling them between the palms or on the floor. Then the adhesive is evenly applied over the design that is drawn on wood. Upon adhesive the cylindrical form of dough is stuck. On this as per the design and necessity, embroidery mirrors are fixed using adhesive. These mirrors are available in various shapes and sizes. After sticking the dough and mirrors, the artwork is allowed for drying. It takes almost 14 hours to dry entirely and becomes very firm. Thus the next process of coloring is carried out. Usually Asian paints are used for coloring. Twice or thrice the colors are applied to get the proper tone. After each coat of color is painted, it is allowed for drying and then the next coat of color is applied. Later the final touch-ups are given for painting using fine thin brush and allowed it for drying. After the artwork is completely dried, the mirrors are cleaned with a neat wet cloth to remove all the dirt, paint marks and set properly. It is then neatly packed and sold in market.
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