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Learn and Practice These Art Process Before You Start Madhubani Painting

Madhubani Painting is one of the most famous Indian art forms. This folk art has also garnered world wide attention and appreciation.

Originally, traditionally madhubani paintings were practiced by women on the walls of their mud huts. These paintings remained limited to the interiors of the houses until recently it caught the attention of the art dealers. As a result, the art has received immense commercialization.

The effort in spreading and supporting Madhubani art form has opened doors for art enthusiasts to learn and create unique pieces.


madhubani elephant
* Madhubani Painting Elephant Homedecor Folk Painting 


Before you begin to create a Madhubani painting you should know few of these standard set of practices involved in making a Madhubani painting unique and special.

Double lining

The main aspect in creating a Madhubani painting is the use of double lines to draw the main elements. The belief that prevails in the Mithila region is that everything or everybeing in this universe comes in pair, thus the reproduction and the existence of new generation. 

Practice drawing double lines in all shapes and forms. Draw in many practice sheets, intricate shapes.


madhubani bhawra flower painting


Double lines are unique aspect of this art form and the way of differentiating one main elements from the other.

Kachni Madhubani Painting - Line Painting

Kachni literally means cutting of space into smaller segments. In Madhubani art, kachni is referred to parallel lines that divides a much wider space into tiny fragments. The consecutive lines are placed so close to each other that there is no place for another line to be inserted. Neatness and uniformity comes upon practicing. 


kachni lines madhubani peacock


Often when a painting is majorly done with kachni lines it is limited to just one or two color combination.      

Flat Linear 2 Dimensional Images

Madhubani art form has evolved as the most popular folk art forms in India. The folk theme is to be retained while one learns to sketch the theme. The drawings are to be done flat linear and most importantly as 2 dimensional is the art space. 


madhubani bird peacock


One should understand that folk art and fine art are two separate entities. 

Relative Calculating Methods

Traditional Madhubani artists donot sketch before painting. They directly work with naturally prepared black soot paint, drawing the motifs and main elements of the painting. There is no particularly following of dimensions for an image. The first stroke is the permanent sketch of any element. There is no erasing or reworking on any part of a the painting.

Traditionally, no using measurement scales like ruler scale, compass, or circular objects. All shapes, patterns, divisions are made based on relative calculations with thumb and palm size.

Twigs, finger tips and nails were the main tools of drawing/sketching.    


original madhubani painting krishna radha

* Krishnaradha Madhubani Original Indian Folk Painting  


Hence, to maintain the authenticity, we should draw pencil sketches at-least without using measuring scales and compass. Over a period of time with practice, we will learn to develop relative calculating methods.

Balancing Bold Colors

Madhubani paintings are famous for their vibrant bold colors. The color combination in a Madhubani painting is selected such that the shades are bright and eye-catchy, yet it does not compete with the each other. The sections and colored fragments of an image should be clearly visible and identified. 


madhubani bird background

* Madhubani Peacock Mithila Folk Art Painting

Heavy layered border 

Intricate patterns on the border is another main aspect of identifying  Madhubani painting. Planning of creating eye catching layers of border patterns is a must while creating an Madhubani art piece.

Heavy Details

Heavy intricate details are the main features of all Madhubani paintings. No space is colored flat and easy. Every section is heavily designed with beautiful repetitive patterns.


madhubani borders beginners design


Practice creating various design with intervals and combinations of patterns before diving into creating a DIY Madhubani painting.

Filling Patterns - Bharni Madhubani Painting

Using of a single solid color over a wide background space is not usually practiced in Madhubani art. The background is filled with variety of patterns that shows the wide background space in a very unique manner.

Intricate patterns, lines, dots, or combo of all or any of the background patterns are usually made. Creating patterns to fill up space in this art form is termed as Bharni Madhubani painting.


madhubani women heavy details


No space is left empty

The entire art space is filled with elements of theme of the painting.  After covering up the painting with main elements/characters of the theme, the remaining white spaces are filled with natural Madhubani motifs like flowers, birds, geometrical patterns and such.


ramsita vivah madhubani home decor painting

* RamSita Vival Madhubani Painting


Overall, creating an amazing Madhubani painting needs patience, time, passion and most importantly practice.

Learn by observing and practicing. Madhubani art form gives great amount of liberty to experiment and create your own style.


* To buy home decor paintings online mail us at happiestladies@gmail.com . Contact us to customize any Indian Folk Art painting. 

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