1. Phad Painting, Pichwai Painting, and Cheriyal Scroll Painting: The Scroll Paintings of Rajasthan
Let’s head over to Rajasthan for something that tells a story. Phad painting is a religious scroll painting style and a form of traveling cinema from medieval times. These long scrolls, or Phads, depicting the exploits of local deities like Pabuji and Devnarayan, were carried by priest-singers (Bhopas) who would narrate the stories. Related forms like Cheriyal scroll painting and Pichwai painting share this narrative depth, making them fascinating scroll paintings to study. If you are looking for easy Indian painting ideas that involve narrative, these styles are perfect. How to attempt it: You don’t need a 30-foot scroll. You can create a mini-Phad on a sheet of heavy paper.
- Characterize: Faces in Phad are always shown in profile. The eyes are large and expressive.
- Block the Colors: Use orange for limbs and torso, yellow for ornaments, green for nature, and red for royal clothing.
- Outline Boldly: Once the colors are flat and dry, galvanize the image by outlining everything in bold black ink.
2. Mughal Miniature Painting and Kangra Painting of Himachal Pradesh
Mughal miniature painting is exactly what it sounds like—highly detailed art on a small scale. This style of Indian painting flourished under the Mughal empire and the Rajput kingdoms of Rajasthan. They often depict court scenes, hunting expeditions, or romance. The Kangra painting style, from the Kangra region of Himachal Pradesh, is a sub-school known for its lyrical beauty, often showcasing Radha and Krishna. While intricate, you can adapt these into easy Indian painting ideas by simplifying the composition. How to attempt it: You need a steady hand and a tiny brush.
- Shrink the Scope: Don’t use a large canvas. Use a postcard-sized paper or cloth, or even an old postcard.
- Detail the Profile: Similar to Phad, figures are often in profile.
- Capture the Flora: Pay attention to the background. Miniature paintings often feature lush gardens with individual leaves painted on the trees.
Want to get better at the fine details? Read our deep dive on Mastering Fine Brushwork to improve your precision.
3. Tanjore Painting, Mysore Painting of Karnataka, and Thangka Painting
Originating from Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, Tanjore painting is the glitzy cousin of Indian art. These paintings are famous for their richness, vivid colors, and compact composition. They serve primarily as devotional icons, typically depicting a Hindu god or goddess. Similar styles include the delicate Mysore painting of Karnataka and the spiritual Thangka painting found in the Himalayas. Real Tanjore art involves limestone paste (muck) for relief work, gold leaf, and semi-precious stones. It sounds intimidating, but we can simplify it for one of our easy Indian painting ideas. How to attempt it: We are going to embellish a standard painting to give it that Tanjore feel.
- Layer the relief: Use 3D outliner paint (like puff paint) to outline the jewelry and arches of your deity. Let it dry completely.
- Glisten with Gold: Paint over the raised 3D lines with metallic gold acrylic paint or carefully apply imitation gold leaf.
- Bedazzle: Glue small craft gems or sequins onto the jewelry sections to mimic the precious stones.
4. Warli Painting, Bhil Art, and Pithora Painting of Gujarat
If you can draw a triangle and a circle, you can master Warli. Originating from the Warli tribe in the North Sahyadri Range in Maharashtra, this is arguably the most accessible style of painting for novices and tops the list of easy Indian painting ideas. Similar tribal forms like Bhil art and Pithora painting of Gujarat also utilize simple shapes to convey complex stories. Paintings are traditionally done on mud walls using white rice paste for the figures against a background of cow dung and red ochre. Don’t worry, we aren’t using dung today. How to attempt it: To mimic the traditional look, use brown craft paper or a canvas painted with a terracotta acrylic base. Use white opaque paint or a white gel pen to draw the figures. The central motif is typically the “Tarpa” dance, where figures hold hands in a spiral or circle.
- Decipher the Geometry: Humans are represented by two inverted triangles. The upper triangle is the torso, the lower is the pelvis. The head is a simple circle.
- Observe Nature: Use the circle to represent the sun and moon, and triangles for mountains and trees.
- Scatter the Scenes: Depict simple scenes of hunting, dancing, or farming.
Fun Fact: This artform relies entirely on geometric patterns—circles, triangles, and squares—derived from nature and human observation.
5. Madhubani Painting, Gond Painting, and Aipan: Vibrant Folk Art
Also known as Mithila art, this style of Indian painting hails from Bihar. Madhubani painting is famous for its eye-popping, vivid colours and the rule that no space should be left empty. Similar vibrant traditions include Gond painting and the ritualistic Aipan art. Paintings are done using fingers, twigs, brushes, nib-pens, and even matchsticks. Traditionally, paintings are often created during festivals to bring good luck and prosperity. These styles offer fantastic easy Indian painting ideas because they allow for so much creative freedom with color. How to attempt it: You need to saturate your canvas with color. Draw a double line for the borders and fill the gap with cross-hatching or small lines.
- Enclose the Space: Draw your main subject first—often Hindu epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, or nature scenes.
- Weave the Patterns: Once your main subject is drawn, fill the entire background with geometric shapes, flowers, and animals.
- Symbolize: Use fish for fertility, peacocks for love, and serpents for divinity.
6. Kalamkari Cultural Painting, Pattachitra, and Kalighat Painting of West Bengal
Kalamkari literally translates to “pen work” (kalam means pen, kari means craftsmanship). Originating in Andhra Pradesh, this style is known for its intricate lines, much like the Pattachitra scrolls of Odisha or the bold Kalighat painting of West Bengal. It heavily features Hindu mythology and flows with lyrical grace. Paintings are mainly focused on narrative storytelling. While traditional Kalamkari uses natural dyes, you can use modern pens for easy Indian painting ideas inspired by this style. How to attempt it: This style is all about the line work. It requires patience to sketch intricate designs.
- Trace the Flow: Unlike the rigid geometry of Warli, Kalamkari lines are curvy and organic. Draw lotuses, peacocks, and vines.
- Infuse Earth Tones: Traditionally, artists use natural dyes like indigo, mustard, rust, and green. Stick to this earthy palette.
- Use the “Kalam”: Use a fine-tip waterproof ink pen to create the outlines before filling in the color with watered-down acrylics or watercolors.
Actionable Takeaway: Preparation is Key Before you start any of these styles, create a “swatch card.” Indian culture and art often rely on specific color combinations (like the red and white of Warli or the primary pop of Phad). Test your colors on a scrap piece of paper to ensure they contrast well before you touch your final canvas.
7. Cave Painting and Mandala: The Roots of Indian Art and Culture
If you want to go back to the very beginning—like, 30,000 years back—look at the Bhimbetka rock shelters. Cave painting is the most ancient style of traditional painting in India. It captures the raw relationship between early humans and their environment. From these primal lines to the spiritual symmetry of a Mandala, this prehistoric art has evolved over thousands of years into the folk art and Indian art and culture we see today. Recreating these ancient symbols is one of the most profound yet easy Indian painting ideas you can try. How to attempt it: This is pure, unadulterated expression.
- Etch the Stick Figures: Use simple lines to create humans carrying spears, bows, and arrows.
- Replicate Movement: Even though they are stick figures, they should look active—running, hunting, or dancing.
- Observe the Animals: Draw bison, elephants, and tigers using simple, bold outlines filled with solid colors.
Exploring Other Regional Styles of Indian Art
Once you have mastered the basics, there are many other painting styles to explore across the subcontinent.
Pattachitra and Kalighat Painting of West Bengal
Pattachitra is a cloth-based scroll painting form primarily from Odisha and West Bengal, often featuring Lord Jagannath. Similarly, Kalighat painting originated in the city of Calcutta in West Bengal during the 19th century and is known for its flowing brushwork and depiction of daily life.
Gond Painting, Bhil Art, and Pithora Painting of Gujarat
In Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, the Bhil and Gond painting styles use dots and lines to fill in shapes, often depicting animals and nature. Pithora painting is another ritualistic art form from Gujarat created by the Rathwa tribe; Pithora paintings are known for their vibrant depictions of horses and are often used to thank the gods.
Thangka Painting, Aipan, and the Mandala
For those who love intricate details, Thangka painting is a traditional Tibetan Buddhist art form popular in the Himalayan regions. You can also explore the ritualistic Aipan art from the Kumaon region, which uses geometric patterns. Whether it is a Mandala for meditation or a decorative wall piece, these forms emphasize symmetry and spirituality.
Mysore Painting of Karnataka, Pichwai Painting, and Cheriyal Scroll Painting
Down south in Karnataka, Mysore painting shares similarities with Tanjore but uses thinner gold leaf and more subtle colors. Pichwai painting from Nathdwara in Rajasthan often depicts Lord Krishna as Shrinathji on large cloths called Pichwai. Lastly, don’t miss out on Cheriyal scroll painting from Telangana, a stylized version of Nakashi art. Whether it is a hand-painted Tussar silk saree or a canvas, these traditional painting forms are practiced today by the modern artisan and contemporary art lovers alike.
More Easy Indian Painting Ideas for Inspiration
Conclusion
Exploring traditional Indian art doesn’t require a degree in history or years of apprenticeship. Whether you choose the geometric rhythm of Warli, the golden glow of Tanjore, or the vibrant storytelling of Phad, the goal is to connect with a rich tradition that has passed down through generations. These styles are forgiving, fun, and deeply satisfying to create. So, grab your paints, ignore the need for perfection, and let these easy Indian painting ideas inspire your next masterpiece.
FAQs
Q: What is the easiest Indian painting style for beginners?
A: Warli painting is widely considered the easiest Indian painting that originated from tribal roots. It relies on basic geometric shapes like circles and triangles to create figures and scenes, making it very accessible for beginners looking for easy Indian painting ideas without formal training.
Q: What materials are traditionally used in Indian folk art?
A: Paintings often use natural materials. For example, soot is used for black, tamarind seed paste for binding, and rice paste for white. However, modern beginners can easily replicate these styles using acrylic paints, poster colors, and micron pens on paper or canvas.
Q: What is the difference between Madhubani and Gond painting?
A: Madhubani painting (from Bihar) often depict Hindu deities and fills space with geometrical patterns and double borders. Gond painting (from central India) uses a distinct pattern of dots and dashes to fill in shapes, usually focusing on plants and flowers and animals, creating a sense of movement.
Q: Can I use modern supplies for traditional Indian paintings?
A: Absolutely. While paintings are traditionally dried in the sun and made with natural dyes, you can use acrylics, watercolors, and gel pens. The depiction of the subject matter matters more than the medium when you are learning.
Q: What is the significance of the eyes in Phad and Jain paintings?
A: In styles like Phad and Jain manuscripts, the eyes are often drawn large and protruding, sometimes extending beyond the face profile. This is a symbolic meaning representing the omniscient nature of the deity or figure being portrayed.
