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Indian Art Forms

1. Andhra Pradesh -

Kalamkari means, “pen-art”. Kalamkari paintings are either hand painted or block printed on cotton fabric. This art form flourished under the rule of the Golconda Sultanat. It was first developed and evolved at Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh but its popularity soon spread to the other states. As far as the popular belief goes, in olden days, groups of artisans, musicians and singers known as chitrakattis would travel from village to village and narrate tales of Hindu mythology. As time passed, they even started illustrating these stories on canvas and thus Kalamkari was born.

2. Arunachal Pradesh - Thangka

A thangka, also known as tangka, thanka or tanka is a painting on cloth. The literal translation of the Tibetan word THANG KA means ‘recorded message’. Among all the art and crafts in Tawang, painting occupies a very special position. Not only it is essential for designing, decorating and finishing many mundane objects, but it is also a highly developed and important means of religious expression. It is a medium through which the Buddhist philosophy can be explained. Thanka paintings have a powerful and forceful impact on most people when they first encounter it.

3. Assam - Assamese Scroll Painting

Manuscript painting in Assam is part of a rich cultural heritage of Assam and India. It grew during the medieval period through the institution of satras. It was influenced by many painting forms and was used to preserve and spread knowledge through the satras and also in the wider society.

4. Bihar - Madhubani

These paintings find their origins and derive their name from a village called ‘Madhubani’ in Bihar. These paintings were first painted by the artists hailing from this village. King Janakraj, father of Sita wanted the artists to capture moments of Sita’s wedding ceremony with Lord Ram. Hence, these paintings came to be known as ‘Mithila’ Paintings. Predominately, the themes revolve around mythology, Hindu Gods and various royal court scenarios.

5. Chhattisgarh - Godna

The practice of tattooing is widely prevalent across Chhattisgarh. It is a form of body art practiced mostly by women on women, mainly amongst adivasi and 'lower' caste communities from this region. The word used for this practice is godna, which refers to the piercing of the body with needles

6. Goa - Folk Painting

The local handicrafts of Goa truly make for colourful souvenirs. From intricate wood carving to colourful wooden lacquerware, from sturdy bamboo craft to delicate papier-mâché, from fabulous terracotta and brassware to art pieces made from exotic sea shells, from intricate crochet and embroidery to rustic jute macramé, from delicate fibre craft to unconventional coconut masks, Goa’s art forms are as varied and colourful as the land itself.

7. Gujarat - Pithora Painting

Pithora paintings are highly enriched folk art culture of Gujarat done on the walls by several tribes such as the Rathwas and Bhilalas who live in the central Gujarat, 90 km (56 mi) from Vadodara, in a village called Tejgadh. Pithora paintings are more of a ritual than an art form.

8. Haryana - Sculpture

Sculpture, an artistic form in which hard or plastic materials are worked into three-dimensional art objects are famous in Haryana.

9. Himachal Pradesh - Kangra Painting

Kangra painting is the pictorial art of Kangra, named after Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, a former princely state, which patronized the art. It became prevalent with the fading of Basohli school of painting in mid-18th century, and soon produced such a magnitude in paintings both in content as well as volume, that the Pahari painting school, came to be known as Kangra paintings.

10. Jammu and Kashmir - Basholi

Basholi painting is a reputed school of miniature paintings known for its vivid, evocative colors, bold lines, and deep-set facial patterns. This style of painting saw its best years in the 17-18th century. Basholi (Basoli) is a town in Kathua district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India.

11. Jharkhand - Sohrai and Khovar Painting

Sohrai art is now known as the state art of Jharkhand. Railway stations in the towns like Hazaribagh and Jamshedpur now greet travellers with Khovar and Sohrai murals that only adorned village homes until recently. Sohrai paintings are age-old tribal traditional paintings based on nature themes – forest, people and animals etc. The paintings are done by tribal women using natural ingredients such as different shades of clay and charcoal.

12. Karnataka - Chittara

Chittaras are intricate wall paintings traditionally created by the tribal women of Malnad on their red mud-coated houses, as well as rangoli floor designs. The traditional paddy husk kalash can be found painted with chittara art, as can papier mache and terracotta vases.

13. Kerala - Kalamezhutgu

Kalamezhuthu is an ancient art woven into the ritualistic mores of Bhagavati, Naga and Ayyappa temples in Kerala. It refers to the pictorial representation of deities on the floor (kalam) using coloured powders (kolappodi) during ceremonies.

14. Ladakh - Thangka Painting and Mural

Religious Art, Early 20th century, From the collection of: Dastkari Haat Samiti. The culmination of Tibetan Buddhist art, thangkas are pictorial religious scrolls. Most often hand painted with mineral colours and gold dust, traditional thangkas were also embroidered or appliqued.

15. Madhya Pradesh - Gond

Characterised by a sense of belonging with nature, the Gondi tribe in Madhya Pradesh created these bold, vibrantly coloured paintings, depicting mainly flora and fauna. The colours come from charcoal, cow dung, leaves and coloured soil. If you look closely, it is made up of dots and lines. Today, these styles are imitated, but with acrylic paints. It can be called an evolution in the Gond art form, spearheaded by Jangarh Singh Shyam, the most popular Gond artist who revived the art for the world in the 1960’s.

16. Maharashtra - Warli Painting

Warli art is a 400-year-old tribal art form from Maharashtra. Painted mostly by the Warli tribe women, paintings in this art form are based on nature, harvest, weddings and fertility. Initially painted on the walls of the houses, Warli Art has gained immense popularity and is painted on home furnishings, décor, and murals.

17. Manipur - Block Painting

It is one of the oldest and most enjoyable of all the crafts and has given color and pattern to paper, cloth, and other surfaces for nearly 4,000 years. Today the process is essentially the same and very well known in Manipur.

18. Meghalaya - Wood Carving

The state of Meghalaya is well known for various crafts. Handicrafts made with cane and bamboo products, textile weaving, carpet weaving, ornament making and woodcarving also hold important place in Meghalaya's art and crafts. In fact, weaving forms an integral part in the culture of the state and its tribes. Wood carving of Meghalaya is an ancient art that flourished in the rural parts of Meghalaya, especially around the Garo hills.

19. Mizoram - Textile Painting

The textiles of Mizoram constitute one of the most significant art and crafts of the region. The textile industry of Mizoram offers a variety of garments, which are quite popular in the north-western part of the country of India. Many Mizo people are well known as skilled weavers. Weaving is one of the most important segments of the cultural life of the people of this state. The women are involved in weaving in Mizoram from a very early age.

20. Nagaland - Cloth Painting

Cloth painting is a very popular form of painting of Nagaland. The natives belonging to the Lotha, Ao and Rengma tribal communities practice this highly skilled art of painting on clothes. The art of painting is quite similar to that of the Rengmas even though the basic pattern is quite different.

21. Odisha - Pattachitra

Pattachitra folk painting hails from the state of Orissa. They originated during the 8th century and is suppose to be one of the earliest forms of indigenous art. ‘Patta’ means ‘clothing’ and ‘chitra’ stands for paintings, so pictures in this art form are painted on a cloth base. Pattachitra art is inspired by the Jagannath and Vaishnava culture. Depictions of Pattachitra art can be seen in the famous Konark Temple in Orissa.

22. Punjab - Mud-Work

Mud works is one of the earliest art forms of Punjab that gained popularity. Mud work in Punjab started as a result of some superstitions to keep away evil spirits. Slowly, designing of different motifs gave rise to a new art expression. Done mainly by rural women, it is practiced generally during many festivals like Navaratri, karva-Chauth, Holi and Diwali.

23. Rajasthan - Phad Painting

Originating in Rajasthan, Phad is mainly a religious form of scroll painting depicting folk deities Pabuji or Devnarayan. The 30 or 15 feet-long canvas or cloth that it is painted on is called phad. Vegetable colours and a running narrative of the lives and heroic deeds of deities characterise these paintings.

24. Sikkim - Thangka

A thangka, variously spelt as thangka, tangka, thanka, or tanka is a Tibetan Buddhist painting on cotton, silk appliqué, usually depicting a Buddhist deity, scene, or mandala. Thangkas are traditionally kept unframed and rolled up when not on display, mounted on a textile backing somewhat in the style of Chinese scroll paintings, with a further silk cover on the front. So treated, thangkas can last a long time, but because of their delicate nature, they have to be kept in dry places where moisture will not affect the quality of the silk.

25. Tamil Nadu - Tanjore

Tanjore style of paintings were first painted during the 16th century and under the Chola regime, this art form found its calling. Known for its use of vibrant colours, rich surfaces, and embellishments, Tanjore paintings originated from the Thanjavur district in Tamil Nadu. The themes of Tanjore paintings are mostly Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Interestingly, the main subject is always painted in the center of the frame. Tanjore Paintings are painted on wooden planks which are colloquially known as ‘Palagai Padam‘.

26. Telangana - Cheriyal Scroll Painting

Originating in Telangana, this dying art form is practised by the Nakashi family only, where it has been passed down for many generations. The tradition of long scrolls and Kalamkari art influenced the Cheriyal scrolls, a much more stylised version of Nakashi art. Depicting puranas and epics, these 40-45 feet scrolls were an essential visual accompaniment as saints wandered around singing or narrating the epics. They resemble modern-day comic panels, with about 50 on each scroll. They use primary colours and a vivid imagination, a stark contrast from the traditional rigour of Tanjore or Mysore paintings.

27. Tripura - Bamboo Work

Cane & Bamboo Handicrafts of Tripura – among the best in the country. 60% of the requirement of the entire country for bamboo sticks for Agarbatti-making is met from the State. Tripura Bamboo Mission (TBM) has been launched in 2007, under PPP framework, for integrated development of Bamboo Sector.

28. Uttar Pradesh - Sanjhi

Sanjhi Painting is a tradition of art that originated out of the cult of Krishna and flourished in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is in Vraja, or Vrindavan, the homeland of Lord Sri Krishna, that this art of Sanjhi painting reached its pinnacle. This art painting is rooted in the folk culture of the region. It was taken to its glory by the Vaishnava temples in the 15 th and 16 th century. Sanjhi came to be regarded as a highly refined art form practiced by the Brahmin priests.

29. Uttarakhand - Aipan

Aipan is a ritualistic folk art, native to the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. It is drawn to commemorate auspicious occasions, festivals and even rituals performed during death of a person. The art form is also known to offer protection against evil.

30. West Bengal - Kalighat Painting

Originated in the 19th century Bengal, from Kalighat. It was the time when upheaval against the British was a possible, exciting idea. These paintings, on cloth and pattas, at first depicted Gods and Goddesses, but then took a turn towards social reform. With cheap paper and paint colours, squirrel hair brushes and colour pigments, the art was characterised by flawless strokes, brushwork, and simple but bold drawings. It sought to raise awareness about social conditions in its viewers – rich zamindars were depicted drinking wine with women, while priests were shown with ‘unchaste’ women and police babus being sloppy.

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How to Become a Professional Artist

I still remember my first sale. It was at one of my very first shows and I recall feeling shocked at the idea that someone was willing to pay money to own my painting! I immediately called my mother (an artist herself) and remember her saying, “Now you’re officially a professional!” In that moment I felt like a professional, but perhaps it’s not quite that simple.

That was the definition my mother was given as she was learning. Since then, I’ve learned that the road to truly being considered a professional artist is actually a little more complicated. I’m sure there are many different perspectives on this, but following is what I’ve experienced and what I feel is a fairly typical step-by-step process.

1. Hone Your Skills

The first and most important step in becoming a professional artist is to develop your skills. Build up your knowledge and brush handling capabilities by taking classes, studying expert work, and practicing. If you want to be a professional, you need to get your work to a level where it can hold its own among all the other artists. It’s a tricky thing to define. It’s a lot like the difference between a brand new cake decorator and one with years of experience and training. The difference in skill level is visual.

2. Test Your Work

Once you feel your work is of a high enough caliber, test it. See if your work is ready by entering your strongest piece in a local art show. Watch the audience as they view it. One thing I like to do (even today) is take off my artist badge and browse around near my work so I can overhear and observe viewer reaction. Did your piece sell? That’s also a very good sign.

You can also ask for feedback from the people around you who aren’t afraid to speak the truth but are also not chronically critical. Or, you can observe people who are exposed to your work but have no personal connection, such as the person who assists you when you get a piece framed. Do they seem genuinely impressed with your painting? Take note, but also remember that everyone has different tastes. Try to get multiple opinions.

3. Discover What You’re Good At

Where do you excel? I initially wanted to paint florals, but after many frustrating attempts and almost giving up on painting entirely, I finally decided to try a portrait. After all, I used to sketch people all the time as a young girl and I wasn’t too bad. As it turned out, portrait painting came much easier! It seemed to match the way I think. Look for your area of strength, and that can relate to subject matter, painting medium, or painting style. If one way isn’t feeling natural, try another.

4. Develop a Body of Work

Develop a solid base of ten to fourteen pieces that you feel confident in. They should be cohesive and of a high skill level. Typically, you want each piece to relay a consistent painting style and similar subject matter, if possible.

5. Learn How to Photograph Artwork

This isn’t quite as simple as it sounds. You need to make sure the photographs you produce are of a high quality because they are going to represent your work. 1. There shouldn’t be any blur (so consider using a tripod), and the lighting should be even. 2. Many experts recommend photographing outside on a temperate, bright but overcast day. This creates a kind of natural white box. Mid-day offers the most neutral color tone as well, so perhaps aim to photograph somewhere between 11am-2pm. 3. Your primary image should show the painting image only - not the mat, frame, wall, or any other surrounding material. These items can simply be cropped out using a photo manipulation software.

6. Create a Basic Website

Using that well-photographed initial body of work, create a simple but professional website. Websites are the portfolio of yesterday. If you want to be competitive, you need to be online in my opinion. At this point, the site can be relatively simple, to include your name, a little bit about you, your work, and contact information. You can create a simple site using a website building template such as wix.com, weebly.com, or SquareSpace.com. Many sites offer free versions with a basic template. That’s okay to start with, but eventually you will need to upgrade. While you're at it, you should consider creating a presense on select social media formats. Keep it simple - select a handful that appeal to you and set up an account.

7. Start an Artwork Database

This is also the time to establish a computer database to track your work and exhibitions. Do this early in your career so you don’t loose track. I, personally, like Artwork Archive, but you can begin with a program you already have on your computer or search online for other alternatives. If you want to be a serious artist, it really helps to keep things organized and the earlier the better.

8. Build Your Resume

With a solid initial body of work established, quality photographs taken of your work, a basic website ready to go, and a method to track your career, it’s now time to develop your resume. This means entering local shows, joining local art groups (and participating in their group exhibits), and/or perhaps working with local small venues such as a coffee shop or library that features local art. It’s time to get your work out in public.

9. Expand Your Marketing Efforts

An artist statement is basically what you want to say with your work, what makes it unique, or what you want the viewer to experience when seeing your work. A bio is simply your artist history (education, exhibits, etc.). All of this needs to be added to your website (if it’s not already there), and your website will need upgrading to one that allows you to use your own domain name. A domain name is the website address name (such as JaneDoeArt.com). Most free websites require you to use an extension in your address such as JaneDoe.weebly.com. It’s best to present yourself clear of any such extensions, so seriously consider purchasing one with only the name you decide upon. Artists often just use their name, such as janedoe.com, but it’s totally up to you. Just make it easy to remember.

You should also now have an idea of pricing and will need to maintain consistency in that regard. Price increases should come slowly or after a special honor or professional association. And business cards are still used today to let people know your website address, where they can see more of your work or contact you.

10. Increase the Quality of Venue and Group

As you continue to grow your experience, both in exhibiting and painting, you should hopefully start to see growth in your skill level as well. If you find you’re receiving praise for your work or even winning local awards, you may want to start looking into higher-end exhibits and art associations. Perhaps try entering your best piece in a national show or seek out a solo exhibit at a reputable venue. Go beyond what is local.

11. Always Present Yourself as a Professional

Being a professional is more than just meeting certain goals, in my opinion. It’s also how you present yourself. It’s how you carry yourself, the way you dress, and the confidence you show in your work. When you engage in the art world, dress well, look clean, present your work in the best light…and have professional looking marketing materials. You wouldn’t believe the negative impact an unkempt mat and frame can have, for example. Or on the opposite tack, the positive one that a smartly dressed, engaging persona can have.

12. Decide What Direction You Want To Go In

Now that you’ve reached a professional level in your work, have a solid resume, and professional marketing materials you need to decide how you want to focus. There are many paths you can take as a professional artist. It’s impossible to do everything or every angle, so I would suggest picking two or three paths and focus your efforts on them. The paths I’m referring to are:

Exhibitions and involvement in the arts community

Gallery representation

Outdoor art markets

National and international art fairs

Teaching

Plein air competitions

Commission work

As you attend certain events, chat with the artists there and get a feel for how that career path impacts their life. Plein air competitions, for example, will involve travel. Commission work will require contracts and ways to communicate with clients. Outdoor markets will mean travel and the need to purchase a proper tent and hanging materials. Observe and ask questions. You’ll find that some appeal to you more than others.

There are many paths to becoming a professional artist because every artist (…every person) is unique. But you can use this information as a general template to help you get going in the right direction and discover your individual track.