Mysore paintings with traditional techniques:

Mysore Paintings:

Mysore paintings are a form of the South Indian painting style. Mysore painting originated in the district of Mysore in the state of Karnataka (INDIA). If you want to buy a Mysore painting, you can go to online platforms like "cottage9". They have a massive collection of Mysore art paintings.

History of Mysore Paintings:

Karnataka has a long and extensive history of paintings. The rulers in Mysore supported Mysore paintings. Mysore's painting style rose to aristocratic status in the late 13th century, under the patronage of former Mysore monarchs. From the days of the Vijayanagar empire (1336–1545 ad), the distinct school of Mysore paintings developed. The kings of Vijayanagara were the supporters of art, architecture, religious and philosophical discussions, etc. In the battle of Talikota, the empire of Vijayanagara fell. After that, the artists that were in the Vijayanagara empire migrated to places like Mysore, Tanjore (Thanjavur), Surpur, etc.

By integrating the local aesthetic traditions and practices, the erstwhile Vijayanagar School of Painting evolved into several South Indian painting styles, the Mysore and Tanjore schools of painting.

The wonder dynasty gave the artists fresh vitality. Families were relocated to Srirangapatna by Raja Wodeyar I. The paintings were subsequently supported and extended by Raja Wodeyar's successors, Chikka Devaraja Wodeyar and Ranadira Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wodeyar, who ordered that legendary subjects be painted on temples and palaces. At the start of the 19th century, Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar brought the Mysore paintings back to life. Nallappa constructed the Lord Narasimha Swamy temple in Seebi and is credited with creating many of the temple's exquisite wall paintings. Unfortunately, none of these paintings have survived because of the ongoing conflict between Tipu Sultan and Hyder Ali and the British. Sritattvanidhi is a famous manuscript that has 1500 pages of illustrations of gods and goddesses, along with instructions to painters about color choice, method, and mood. Other literary sources that explain the aim and principles of painting are the Vishnudharmottara Purana, Abhilasitarth Cintamani, and Shiva Tattva Ratnakara. These paintings include portraits of Mysore rulers and their family members, and also paintings from mythological stories.

Paintings from Mysore:

Mysore's paintings are the finest pieces of art. Mysore paintings are beautiful to view and to own. For millennia, the stories and imagery of Hindu deities have been preserved in the frames of these stunning works of art.

The distinguishing characteristics of Mysore paintings include finely drawn lines, exact brushstrokes, lovely figure delineation, gently placed brilliant vegetable colors, and dazzling gold leaves. The paintings strive to inspire feelings of devotion and humility in the observer, serving as more than merely decorative pieces. As a result, for this kind of painting, the capacity of the particular painter to communicate a range of emotions is essential. You may find Mysore paintings online if you enjoy art.

Steps Into Mysore Painting:

• Preparing the ground was the first step in Mysore painting; diverse ground materials included paper, wood, cloth, and walls. The paper board is made of paper pulp or waste paper. The paper board is then dried in the sun and rubbed smooth with a polished quartz pebble. If the ground was cloth, it was pasted on a wooden board using a paste. The paste is composed of dry white lead (safeda) mixed with gum and a small quantity of gruel (ganji). The board was then dried and burnished. Wood surfaces are prepared by applying dry white lead, yellow ochre, and gum. Walls are treated with yellow ochre, chalk, and gum.

• After preparing the ground, the artists draw a rough sketch of the painting with a crayon. The crayon is prepared from the straight twig of the tamarind tree.

• The most distant features, including the sky, a hill, and a river, were painted next. After that, animal and human figures were gradually painted in more detail. Following the coloring of the figures, the artists would elaborate on their features, attire, and embellishments, such as the gesso work (gold overlay), a significant aspect of Mysore painting.

Gesso Work:

Gesso-work is the traditional painting method in Karnataka. Gesso is a mixture of white lead powder, gum arabic, and glue. The white lead powder is the basic lead carbonate that is found naturally in the form of a mineral. It helps in the darkening of the painting. Gambose is the deep saffron of the mustard pigment that is moderately clear. Gesso is used as an engraving material and is enfolded with gold foil.

In contrast to the Tanjore School's rich gold relief work, the gesso work in Mysore paintings is intricate and low relief. Intricate designs of clothing, jewelry, and architectural features were shown in Mysore paintings using gesso on the pillars and arches that typically framed the deities. The work was started in the morning when the painting's basis for the gold work was still wet in order to hold the gold foil firmly. 

The glazing process was carried out by covering the painting with thin paper and rubbing it with the soft glazing stone known as kaslupada kallu after allowing it to dry. The painting looked magnificent when the thin paper had been removed because of the combination of gold and a variety of colors.

Why Are Mysore Paintings Expansive?

It is lovely to look at and own Mysore paintings. For millennia, in the frames of these magnificent pieces of art, Hindu deities' legends and iconography have been maintained for millennia. The goal of Mysore's artwork is to inspire sentiments of awe and humility in the observer. 

Reasons for the High Price of Mysore Paintings:

• The process of making a Mysore painting is really sedulous.

• It is a very time-consuming process. It takes a lot of time to make one Mysore painting.

• They are made from traditional gesso work. The first artist prepares the ground; after that, they do gesso, embracing the chosen ground. Embracing takes a lot of time.

• Each art piece is fully original and unique.

• This kind of painting requires the particular painter to be able to express a wide range of emotions. And they do it very well.