Mysore Painting is a form of classical South Indian painting, which evolved in the Mysore city of Karnataka. During that time, Mysore was under the reign of the Wodeyars and it was under their patronage that this school of painting reached its zenith. Quite similar to the Tanjore Paintings, Mysore Paintings of India make use of thinner gold leaves and require much more hard work. The most popular themes of these paintings include Hindu Gods and Goddesses and scenes from Hindu mythology. The grace, beauty and intricacy of Indian Mysore Paintings leave the onlookers mesmerized.

 

The canvas of the Mysore painting was made of cartridge paper pasted on a wooden base. A paste made of Zinc oxide and Arabic gum was prepared called "jesso paste", which was applied to the base.

The primary sketch was then made on the canvas. In order to give the picture a larger than life depiction, a small raised effect was made, on which the images like thrones or the arch were painted with a thin brush. A gold foil was pasted after the painting had dried.

The coloring was done using the watercolors for which only the subtle colors were used. In the olden days, the artists were adept in not only the making the painting, but they were also dexterous in preparing all the required resources such as the brushes, color paints, canvas and the gold foil.

The process of making paints employed the method of extracting colors from different plants and minerals. A paper, wood, cloth or a wall formed the canvas for painting. The Mysore painting uses thinner gold foil compared to the Tanjore painting. Grass blades were used to give a sharp edged effect to the painting.

The colors were made by crushing the minerals in the stone mortar and then adding some water to make it into a soft paste. Goat, camel and squirrel hair was used to make brushes.

Raja Woodeyar (1578-1617 AD) of Mysore was well known for his considerable involvement to patronize art and encourage artists. These artists were engaged in showcasing these eye-catching paintings on temple walls, banners and also palace walls. He had constructed two shrines, one at Srirangapatna and the other at Ganjam for Nimishamba Devi, the Goddesses which are worshipped by the artists. Mysore art was given a major impetus during the reign of Mummadi Krishnaraja Woodeyar who rose to power after the death of Tippu Sultan in 1799 AD.

These paintings showed a pictorial description of subjects and depicted the scenes and figures of the Hindu mythology on palaces of rich and royal community, the household of the merchants and the noble class. On the walls of Jagan Mohan palace the attractive Mysore paintings can be seen.

Raasi Art Foundation has renewed the Mysore painting with constant encouragement, training and endorsement. These great works is accomplished by group of talented artists.