Miniature Painting

Miniature paintings are executed only on paper with a vivid study of the painting technique, colours,bases,tools and implements and a bit of restoration technique. Like science, there can be no definite standard which could be uniformly found concerning painting technique. The artists indulge in real earth , mineral metallic or vegetable colours. Drawing is done on independent single paper or paste board. The painting is completed by applying colours gradually in parts. Before commencing to finish the work, the painting is laid on a slab and burnished by a Ghoti.

Paper :

The varieties of papers are available and used. Like khatai, hariri, gaumi and many other types.

Brushes :

The brushes are prepared by artists themselves. For doing quality work, brush is made from hairs of squirrel's tail. For this purpose , a squirrel is put into a cage and then its body is caught in hands cleverly. Then a big cloth is wrapped round loosely. When the squirrel run its neck is caught carefully in the cloth with the first two fingers and body trunk with the thumb and third finger. Now the tail hairs are wetted, and clipped off. Only those haris are considered best whose points are perfect. Then the brshes are tied up for work. Leave the squirrel alive.

Colours :

The colours used in miniature paintings are mainly divided into four main groups.

  1. Earth colours
  2. Vegetable colours
  3. Oxide colours
  4. Metal colours

            The colours are prepared by the artist himself which requires great preparation and experience.

Apart from the techniques and methods many other tools are required from time to time. These paintings are basically prepared from water colours and so it is very necessary to protect them from moisture. They are kept in Bastas.