The Complete Tanjore Painting Materials List

One of the most common questions from beginners is: "What exactly do I need to start Tanjore painting?" Tanjore (Thanjavur) painting uses a unique combination of materials that you won't find in a standard art supply store. This guide breaks down every material by category so you can shop with confidence.

1. The Base: Muck Board

The foundation of every Tanjore painting is the muck board (also called a hardboard or base board). It is a thick, rigid board onto which the sketch is pasted and all the artwork is built. Muck boards come in various sizes — choose a size that suits your sketch.

What to look for: A smooth, firm surface that won't warp when wet adhesives are applied.

2. The Sketch

A Tanjore painting sketch is the printed or hand-drawn outline of your chosen subject — typically a Hindu deity like Ganesha, Lakshmi, Krishna, or Saraswati. Beginners usually start with a pre-printed sketch pasted onto the muck board.

Browse our collection of Tanjore Painting Sketches in various sizes and subjects.

3. Adhesives and Binders

Adhesives are critical in Tanjore painting — they bind the relief paste, hold the gold foil, and secure the kundan stones.

  • Arabic Gum — the traditional binder used for relief work paste and gold foil application. It dries clear and holds firmly.
  • Fevicol / White Glue — sometimes used as an alternative or supplement for sticking the sketch to the board.
  • Gem adhesive / Stone glue — for securing kundan stones and glass gems.

Find all your Tanjore adhesives and powders in one place.

4. Relief Work Materials

The raised 3D texture on jewellery, crowns, and ornaments is what makes Tanjore paintings unique. To create this relief work, you need:

  • Chalk powder / Whiting powder — mixed with Arabic gum to form the relief paste
  • Gesso — an alternative to chalk powder for building up texture
  • Crystals / Decorative powders — sprinkled onto wet adhesive for texture and sparkle

5. Gold Foil

The gold foil is the most iconic element of Tanjore painting. It is applied over the relief work to create the brilliant, lustrous gold finish on jewellery, crowns, and halos.

  • Pure gold foil — the traditional choice, gives the richest finish
  • Imitation gold foil — a more affordable option for practice and beginners
  • Coloured foils — silver, copper, and other metallic foils for variety

Explore our full range of Tanjore Painting Gold Foil options.

We also stock Tanjore Gold Foil Drawing Pens — a modern tool for adding fine gold details without traditional foil application.

6. Kundan Stones and Gems

Kundan stones (also called glass gems or mirror pieces) are coloured glass or acrylic stones used to decorate the jewellery, borders, and ornamental areas of the painting. They come in a wide range of colours, shapes, and sizes.

Tip: Use tweezers for precise placement and a toothpick to apply adhesive to each stone individually.

7. Poster Colours

Tanjore paintings use poster colours (opaque water-based paints) for the figure, face, clothing, and background. The traditional colour palette is bold and vibrant:

  • Deep reds and maroons for clothing
  • Bright greens and blues for backgrounds
  • Warm skin tones for faces and hands
  • Yellow and gold for halos and borders

Shop our specially curated Poster Colours for Tanjore Painting.

8. Brushes and Tools

You'll need a variety of brushes and tools for different stages of the painting:

  • Round brushes (sizes 0–4) — for painting fine details and facial features
  • Flat brushes — for filling large background areas
  • Cone / Piping tool — for applying relief paste with precision
  • Tweezers — for placing kundan stones
  • Cotton / Soft cloth — for pressing gold foil and cleaning up edges

Browse our Tanjore Painting Tools collection.

9. Frame

Once your painting is complete, a good frame protects it and enhances its display. Traditional Tanjore paintings are often framed in ornate wooden frames that complement the richness of the artwork.

See our Tanjore Frames collection.

Buy Everything in One Go

If you're just starting out, the easiest way to get all your materials is with our Tanjore Painting Kit. It includes the essential materials for beginners in one convenient package — no hunting for individual items.

For more specialised or individual items, browse our Tanjore Miscellaneous collection for accessories and add-ons.

Quick Reference: Tanjore Painting Materials Checklist

  • ☐ Muck board (base board)
  • ☐ Tanjore sketch
  • ☐ Arabic gum / adhesive
  • ☐ Chalk powder / gesso for relief work
  • ☐ Gold foil
  • ☐ Kundan stones / glass gems
  • ☐ Poster colours
  • ☐ Fine brushes (sizes 0–4)
  • ☐ Cone / piping tool
  • ☐ Tweezers
  • ☐ Frame