See How I Create My Kerala Mural Paintings
Every mural you see here starts as a simple pencil sketch on raw canvas. I believe the journey from a blank surface to a finished piece is just as beautiful as the art itself. Here is a peek into how I build these layers.
The journey of my Meenakshi painting begins. Here, the first layer of yellow is applied, setting a warm, divine glow for the goddess. This is the foundation upon which all other colors will be built.
The next step in the Meenakshi mural. I've added the red details to her clothing and ornaments, creating a beautiful contrast with the yellow and white. Each color brings her more to life.
Adding the green to Meenakshi's form. This is a crucial stage where her divine identity as the green-hued goddess truly begins to emerge. The shading and details start to create depth and personality.
The 'Vaidehi' painting in progress. Here, the base colors have been filled in, and the figure is defined against the rich, textured background. The next step is to add the shading and fine details.
This video shows the initial coloring stages of the 'Vaidehi' painting. You can see me carefully applying the yellow base coat, bringing the initial sketch to life with the first touch of color.
A short video showing the process of adding the first yellow hues to the Meenakshi painting. This is my Monday motivation, a quiet and meditative start to a week of creation.
The "Tree of Life" paintings in an early stage. The outlines are done, and I've started filling in the vibrant, warm colors of the leaves, creating the stained-glass effect piece by piece.
The very beginning of a painting, the 'Morning Raga'. This video shows the delicate process of creating the brown outlines with a fine brush, setting the foundation for the entire piece.
The initial brown outline for a custom Radha Krishna painting. This 14x12 inch piece was commissioned as a gift, and this is the first step in bringing the divine couple to life on canvas.
The completed Aandal Rangamannar painting, a 12x14 inch piece commissioned for a 25th wedding anniversary. The vibrant colors and details are all finished, ready for framing.
About The Artist's Process: From Sketch to Masterpiece
When you commission a painting, I don't just send the final piece. I share the journey. You will get updates from the initial pencil outline—where we finalize the composition—all the way to the color filling stages and fine detailing. This helps us ensure the expressions, the colour palette, and the traditional elements are exactly how you imagined them before I apply the final coat of protective varnish.
The process of a Kerala mural is a deliberate one, rooted in tradition but adapted for the modern home. It begins with a clean white canvas board. I spend a significant amount of time on the initial sketch, using a fine brush and light brown outlines to map out the deities and motifs. This is the blueprint stage, where we confirm the placement of every ornament, flower, and figure.
Once the composition is set, the coloring begins. I work in stages, applying the base hues first—often starting with the golden yellows or the earthy reds. I use a dry brush and stippling technique to build depth and texture, rather than just flat blocking in color. This is how I achieve the 3D effect in figures like Meenakshi or Radha Krishna.
After the colours are in place, the black outlining happens. This is the moment when the image truly pops and gains its characteristic mural identity. Finally, I add the fine details—the jewellery, the eyes, and the intricate backgrounds. Every piece is then finished with a non-yellowing varnish to protect it from dust and time. Whether it is a small 5x5 inch tabletop piece or a large 3x3 foot masterpiece, this step-by-step approach ensures that every commission is not just a painting, but a story captured on canvas.
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