Beginner’s Journey to Create an Easy Tanjore Painting Step by Step

Tanjore painting, also known as Thanjavur painting, is a traditional South Indian art form. It originated in the historic town of Thanjavur (Tanjore) in Tamil Nadu.

Tanjore paintings online are celebrated for their vibrant colors, surface richness, and intricate designs. These paintings are known for their compact compositions and the generous use of gold foil, which adds a touch of grandeur.

Traditional Indian Tanjore paintings primarily depict Hindu gods and goddesses. For beginners passionate about exploring traditional Indian art, starting with Tanjore paintings can be a truly rewarding experience. This step-by-step guide will help you create authentic and captivating art.

Note: Looking for inspiration? Browse Tanjore paintings image collections or unique Tanjore paintings design ideas to get started.

Step-by-step Tanjore Painting Guide

1. Gather Your Materials

Before you begin with Indian Tanjore paintings, it's essential to assemble all the necessary materials. Here's a comprehensive list to get you started:

1. Plywood Board: Serves as the sturdy base for your painting. Use only waterproof plywood to ensure the painting's longevity. The board should be thick enough to avoid bending. The size of plywood:

• 6 mm: For paintings that are no larger than 20 x 16 

• 9 mm: For paintings that are 3 x 2 

• 12 mm: For paintings that are larger than 3 x 2

2. Canvas Cloth: A fine cotton cloth (gada cloth) to be mounted on the plywood, providing a smooth surface for painting.

3. Chalk Powder and Arabic Gum: French chalk powder is used to create a gesso paste for preparing the canvas.

4. 22-Carat Gold Foil: Tanjore Painting gold foil is used for leaves, jewelry, arches, and pillars to decorate Tanjore painting, which gives a royal look to the painting.

5. Semi-Precious Stones: Round stones, square stones, Kundan stones, Jaipur stones, and sometimes Swarovski crystals.

6. Poster Colors or Natural Dyes: For painting the design.

All the materials used for making Tanjore paintings can be bought online from those that specialize in traditional Indian art styles. If you need a ready-to-hang Tanjore painting, then Tanjore paintings online are now available in India. The Tanjore painting costs are affordable.

2. Choose Your Design

Once the materials are gathered, the next step is selecting an appropriate design. This is crucial, especially for beginners. Explore Tanjore painting images online to get ideas for your own artwork. To create creative Tanjore painting outline sketches, choose from themes such as gods, goddesses, birds, floral borders, and decorative arches. 

Tanjore painting patterns should be both beautiful and simple for novices. Opt for a simple composition with clear lines and minimal intricate details to make tracing and painting easier. You can find inspiration from existing Tanjore paintings online or visit local galleries to observe traditional designs.

3. Prepare the Canvas

This step is very crucial and needs more attention, as this is the base for Tanjore painting. Preparing the canvas is a foundational step that ensures the longevity and quality of your painting. Tanjore paintings traditionally use wooden planks, but canvas works just as well.

To create a canvas, cut the cotton material slightly larger than the plywood board edges and apply a thin adhesive coating. Stretch the canvas over the board, ensuring no folds or air bubbles. To apply gesso, mix French chalk powder with Arabic gum in the proportion of 3:1 and apply a smooth paste. Sand the surface gently after the first coat dries. Check if each coat is completely dry before applying the next. Repeat the process if necessary for a polished finish. Aim for a smooth, even base without bumps or uneven spots. 

4. Draw Your Design

If your drawing skills are quite good, go ahead and sketch freehand. For those who are less confident, this step is for you. Tracing step is the most intricate part of Indian Tanjore paintings. Before tracing, on the prepared board, draw a 1 cm border. This allowance is to make space for the framing.

Lightly sketch the outline of your chosen design using a pencil. If freehand drawing is challenging, place tracing carbon paper (red/yellow color) over your reference image and trace the design. Position the traced paper onto the canvas and rub the back with a blunt object to transfer the image.

While first time reduce complexity in designs and ensure that your design is symmetrical and proportionate. Take your own time to draw a good outline, as this is the foundation of your Tanjore paintings image.

5. Add Detailing with Paint and Embossing

Enhancing your Tanjore painting image with intricate details and embossing adds depth and texture, bringing the artwork to life. Use fine-tipped brushes to add intricate details to the facial features, clothing, and ornaments of the central figures. Apply the previously made muck paste to areas where a raised effect is desired, such as jewelry or architectural elements, using a brush or a fine applicator. Allow the embossing to dry completely before proceeding.

This step adds a tactile dimension to your painting, making it visually engaging and true to traditional Tanjore art.

6. Start Painting the Background

This step is the most interesting part of painting that requires a lot of creativity. Begin by painting the background to set the tone and mood of your artwork. Always use a medium-sized brush to apply the background color evenly. 

Choose hues that resonate with the traditional beauty of authentic Tanjore painting. Traditional Tanjore paintings use vibrant hues like deep reds, rich blues, dark greens, crimson, and shades of cobalt blue.

Cover large areas first and then build up layers for depth. Use thin, even layers to avoid smudging or uneven textures. Allow it to dry completely before proceeding to the next step to avoid smudging. A well-executed background provides depth and contrast that makes the painting stand out prominently.

7. Add the Main Elements

With the background set, it's time to focus on the central figures and primary elements of your Tanjore painting. This stage requires precision and attention to detail to bring your artwork to life.

1. Switch to Finer Brushes: Utilize fine-tipped brushes on delicate features like facial expressions, ornaments, and clothing patterns.

2. Facial Features: Begin with the eyes, as they are often considered the soul of the painting. Proceed to the nose and lips, maintaining proportion and alignment.

3. Ornaments and Jewelry: Tanjore paintings are renowned for their elaborate jewelry designs. Use metallic colors or gold paint to mimic the appearance of real jewelry.

4. Clothing and Textiles: Depict the attire with attention to traditional designs and patterns. Use vibrant colors typical of Tanjore art.

5. Layering and Shading: Apply multiple layers of paint to achieve depth and richness.

To gain a deeper understanding of traditional patterns and techniques, closely examine authentic Tanjore paintings online images. 

8. Apply Gold Foil

Gold foil transforms Tanjore painting images into shimmering masterpieces. Apply a thin layer of adhesive (Arabic gum) to the areas designated for gold embellishment. Carefully place the 22-carat gold foil over the adhesive. Gently press down to ensure it adheres properly.

Add gold foils to crucial locations to enhance the painting's richness and depth. This phase adds 3D to your creation.

If you feel a little hard, you can also make use of gold metallic paints. Once the foil is set, use a soft cloth to gently burnish the surface, enhancing its shine and ensuring a smooth finish. For visual inspiration and reference, consider exploring the traditional Tanjore paintings online.

9. Embellish with Stones and Beads

In this phase, we fix the semi-precious stones/beads to the boards. Place ornamental stones strategically. Apply white adhesive to the right places and place the stones. Place them on crowns, necklaces, and borders to add elegance. Use stones, beads, or other materials to enhance the texture, richness, and opulence characteristic of Tanjore paintings. Make use of stones and beads that complement the color scheme and design of your painting. Traditional choices include red, green, and white stones, often referred to as Jaipur stones.

Also, make sure the embellishments are balanced correctly, or they will dominate the entire design. These embellishments contribute to the 3D effect and luxurious appearance of the painting. This makes it stand out as a piece of traditional Indian art.

10. Finalize and Frame It

Place the completed painting in a dust-free, dry environment to prevent any particles from settling on the surface. Allow the painting to dry thoroughly for at least 24 to 48 hours.

Once dried, inspect the painting for any areas that may require touch-ups or additional detailing. Then apply a protective varnish on the painting to safeguard it from dust and environmental factors. Finally, choose a frame that suits your painting's traditional appeal. For added refinement, choose a Chettinad teak wood or antique-style frame.

Conclusion

Creating a Tanjore painting is not just an artistic activity; it is a journey into the rich cultural heritage of India. By following these steps, beginners can explore the beauty of Indian Tanjore paintings while crafting a masterpiece. This traditional art form embodies devotion, tradition, and artistic brilliance. Patience and passion are key to achieving excellence in this painting.

Are you ready to experience the timeless charm of Tanjore paintings online? Buy from their range of handcrafted Tanjore paintings image collections, and unique Tanjore paintings design options.

Visit Ethnic Tanjore Arts today and bring home a piece of India's artistic tradition!