• Tools
Tools used in miniature paintings are outlined below:
Brushes:
Round and flat brushes of different sizes are made from squirrel hair. These brushes are suitable for making very fine details on the canvas and are long-lasting.
Seep (Shell):
Shells with smooth surfaces are used to keep/store colors and these also are used for burnishing, and as bowls for mixing colors.
Hakik ka Pathar (Burnishing Stone):
The stone is used to rub on a handmade paper coated with a mixture of Khadiya and Gond. This helps in making the surface smooth and therefore the movement of the brush becomes easy.
Wooden Rod:
This is used for drawing straight lines.
Pencils and Erasers:
Pencils and Erasers are also used while making miniature paintings.
• Raw Materials
The main raw materials used in making a miniature painting are different types of colors which are procured from various types of stone, flowers etc.
Canvas :
The painting is done either on cloth or handmade paper. These are procured from the local market and further processed to make them suitable for painting.
Colors:
Various colors are extracted from flowers, stones, leaves etc. through intense grinding and filtering process. These are all water-based colors. Apart from natural colors sometimes water colors are also used. The main colors are:
1. Kadiya- white
2. Ramraj- yellow
3. Malachite- green
4. Hazratbel- grey
5. Hansraj- brown
6. Mensar- orange
7. Sararevan- light yellow
8. Lampblack- black
Varakh (Gold Leaf):
This is applied to enhance the borders and jewellery of the drawn/painted characters like kings and queens in the paintings.
Gond :
It is used to mix with Khadiya to make the base color.
Tracing Paper :
Used to trace the design.
