About the Artform

Phad painting or Phad is a style of religious scroll painting and folk painting, practiced in the Rajasthan state of India.This style of painting is traditionally done on a long piece of cloth or canvas, known as Phad. The narratives of Rajasthan's folk deities, mostly of Pabuji and Devnarayan, are depicted on the Phads.

The Bhopas, the priest-singers traditionally carry the painted Phads along with them and use these as the mobile temples of the folk deities, who are worshipped by the Rebari community of the region. The Phads of Pabuji are normally about 15 feet in length, while the Phads of Devnarayan are normally about 30 feet long. Traditionally the Phads are painted with vegetable colors.

About the Masterclass

Get a deep dive into the traditional artform of Phad Painting in this beginner-friendly, 4-day masterclass by the master artist Shri Kalyan Joshi.

This masterclass is broken down into easy to follow modules supported by downloadable practice sheets. At the end of the masterclass, you will create your very own Phad painting.

Elements you will learn

Day 1 - Introduction to Phad & Borders/Patterns

• An introduction to the history of Phad Art
• A presentation to understand the origin of this artform
• Practice of basic borders, simple designs, and patterns
• Downloadable practice sheets would be available prior, to print and carry to the session

Day 2 - Phad Characters and Basic Elements

• Introduction to the most commonly used characters & motifs
• Sketching of simple characters: faces, limbs, basic characters
• Downloadable practice sheets would be available prior, to print and carry to the session

Day 3 - Phad Drawing - Starting your Masterpiece

• Learn how to incorporate them within the scene
• Learn to depict a scene where the characters are shown 
• Downloadable reference artwork sheets would be available prior, to print and carry to the session

Day 4 - Finishing your Phad Painting Masterpiece

• Add colors onto your intricate artworks created from Day 3
• Learn the history of using traditional colors in a specific order
• Give the painting the final touch with Khulai: Outlining with black color

Materials required

•  A4 & A3 Off-white Drawing sheets (handmade or Cartridge sheet) 
• Pencil, Eraser, Sharpener and Scale 
• Round Brushes No. - 0, 00, 2, 4, 6 
• Poster Colors: 

1. Orange
2. Chrome Yellow
3. Sap Green
4. Indian Red (brown)
5. Light Green
6. Scarlett Red
7. Cobalt Blue
8. Black & White

• Rough cloth, Color palette & A Mug or Glass for water