Making Process

Design Resource

Tanjore Painting - Tanjore, Tamil Nadu

Tanjore Painting

Making Process

Initially work begins by preparing the wooden board of required size and cardboard is placed over the board after the cardboard is pasted to wooden board, Cotton fabric is then stretched and pasted on the board using an indigenous gum. After the fabric attached well to the board, the process of coating the cloth begins. Then cloth is coated with the paste, which is prepared by mixing chalk powder and tamarind seed powder. This paste applied over the canvas to multiple coats.

This coated area is then rubbed with a smoothening stone and emery sheet to obtain a surface with mild sheen and good texture. Coating of the cloth board helps prevent the painting from damage caused by moisture and heat. After the canvas is ready painter draws the Sketch over the canvas using the templates of religious themes. The template will be in the form of a tracing sheet with pinpricks on the outlines. This tracing sheet is placed on top of the cloth board and dusted with charcoal dust. Molding paste is made by mixing quantity of a paste made of chalk powder and glue with Gold paint and water. It is then filled in a squeezing bottle to create the relief work. To give a fine detailing even fine brushes are used.

In brush, the first layer of the paste is applied to create a raised effect for the chosen areas of the work. Once this layer is dry, finer details are painted using the same paste to create raised patterning. They are Pated using the glue. Once dried, the embossed areas are covered with gold leaf. Gold leaf work is made by using gold foil, a thin gold foil is placed on an embossed area and the foil is then cut to shape. Glue is then applies to the back side of the foil and it is then applied over the embossed area.

Using the pointed back of a paintbrush, the foil is pressed down to reveal the embossed details. In this manner, all the embossed areas are covered with gold leaf. Painting is then enhanced by pasting the Kundan/ gems or precious stones along with mirror in the border. Colors are then painted in several coats over the design and it is allowed to dry. A fine outlining is done for features. The painting, once it is complete, it is framed using the teakwood with glass on top.

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Tanjore Painting - Tanjore, Tamil Nadu