Wooden Toys - Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Wooden logs are bought from the nearby market and stored in the artisan’s house. The wooden log is cut as per the required size. The wooden piece that is cut is cleaned properly and sanded neatly to get the even surface.On this piece of wood, the design of the toy is drawn and unwanted wood is chopped off. The outer line of the toy is chiseled carefully to give the proper shape. Once the wooden pieces are carved they are exposed to the process of slow heating by which the moisture in the wood is completely drawn out. Once the carved wooden piece is dried, the process of painting gets started. Usually a sample toy is made and the colors are experimented on it and then the actual painting is done on final product. Initially the toy is dipped in distemper and once it is dried it is painted with white color. Later two such coats of non-toxic colors are painted. The last coat is usually of lacquer that brings in the shine to the exterior of the toys. Once the artisan starts coloring they use only single color at a time. Once the color is chosen the whole batch of toys are colored in the same color where ever that particular color is required. Once the firstly applied color is dried, the second color is selected and painted. Fine detailing of the toy is made by using squirrel hair brush.
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