Tanjore Art Lessons

Students are taught various techniques in preparing, finalizing and painting as special art. Tanjore paintings are gorgeous with brilliant colors adorned with gem stones and gold foil. These are very expensive to buy, enjoy making it for yourself and for gift giving. These paintings are supposed to bring good luck, people place them in alters and decorate their  houses. They make perfect housewarming and wedding gifts loved by collectors and art lovers of all ages.

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What is the origin of Tanjore art?
Tanjore art originated in the Thanjavur about 1600AD. This style of art was patronised by the Vijayanagara Rajas along with classical dance and music.

What are the main characteristics of Tanjore style of art?
Tanjore paintings are mostly Gods and Goddess and in some instances saints. Tanjore paintings are known for their rich colors and rounded faces with big eyes. Gold foils along with precious and semi precious stones are intricately placed in the paintings with extensive muckwork.

What are the steps that are involved in tanjore painting?
 There are several steps in preparing Tanjore art.
1.Board: First the artist makes a preliminary sketch of the image on the base, which is a piece of cloth pasted onto wood.
2.Stone: After the drawing is made, the jewellery and apparel in the image are decorated with semi-precious stones.
3.Emboss: A mixture called "muk" is prepared using chalk powder and African gum in a ratio of 2:1. The muk is applied in places around the stones and other areas to give an embossed look.
4. Foil: Gold foil is pasted on top of this.
5. Paint: Finally, dyes are used to add color to the figures in the paintings. The color brown is used for outlining the paintings. Red, the distinctive mark of Thanjavur paintings, is generally used as background. Sometimes, the color green color is also used. Lord Vishnu is always represented with blue, whereas the goddesses are denoted with yellow color and Lord Nataraja with chalk white.
6. Frame: Paintings can be mounted in one of two types of frames. Plain wooden frame without much decoration or extra decorated wooden frame in Chettinad style.