How to Make Coloured Paint

Traditional scrolls are mostly in a vertical format with illustrations of stories on horizontal panels, all separated by floral borders.

When narrating to the audience, these panels are either held with both hands or suspended from a tree.

Tree lac is one of the primary ingredients used in creating the colours.

Tamarind seed paste and tree lac are mixed together to form a paste that is then used along with mineral colours.

This stone will soon be ground to render a rich yellow colour when mixed with the tamarind seed paste and lac.

It is the use of natural pigments that gives Cherial paintings its signature brilliant hues.

The ground powder is mixed with lac and tamarind seed paste in water to make a smooth, rich paste.

The colour is then collected into small containers, ready for use on the Cherial scrolls.

Seen here are some of the naturally rendered colours ready to be used on the canvas.

Read more about Cherial Scroll Paintings and Masks here:

- Cherial Scroll Painting
- Cherial Masks