How are Tanjore paintings made?

Tanjore paintings, also known as Thanjavur paintings, are a traditional style of Indian art that originated in the town of Thanjavur (Tanjore), Tamil Nadu, during the 16th century. Here's an overview of the process involved in making Tanjore paintings: 1. **Preparation of Canvas**: Tanjore paintings are typically created on a solid wooden board, which is first coated with a layer of cloth or paper pasted onto the surface using a mixture of chalk powder and arabic gum. This provides a smooth base for painting. 2. **Sketching**: Once the base is ready, the artist sketches the outlines of the subject using charcoal or pencil. The sketches often depict Hindu gods and goddesses, religious motifs, or scenes from mythology. 3. **Gesso Work**: The next step involves creating intricate embossing on the canvas using a mixture called 'Gesso', which is made from a paste of chalk powder and a binding medium such as Arabic gum or adhesive. This embossing adds dimension and richness to the painting. 4. **Gold Foil Application**: One of the distinguishing features of Tanjore paintings is the use of gold foil to embellish the artwork. Thin sheets of 22-carat gold foil are cut into desired shapes and pasted onto the canvas using a special adhesive. 5. **Painting**: After the embossing and gold foil application, the artist fills in the colors using natural pigments, typically derived from minerals, vegetables, and precious stones. The colors are mixed with a binder such as gum arabic or resin to create a thick, opaque consistency. 6. **Detailing**: Once the base colors are applied, the artist adds intricate details using fine brushes. This includes highlighting features, adding textures, and embellishing the painting with jewels, ornaments, and other decorative elements. 7. **Final Touches**: Finally, the painting is adorned with decorative elements such as semi-precious stones, beads, and pearls to enhance its beauty and richness. 8. **Varnishing**: To protect the painting and enhance its longevity, a final coat of varnish is applied over the finished artwork. Tanjore paintings are characterized by their rich colors, elaborate detailing, and use of gold foil, making them highly prized as decorative and religious art pieces. read less

The painting uses a mixture of chalk powder or zinc oxide with water-soluble adhesive to spread on the base

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