Can Beginners Learn Tanjore Painting Online? Here's Sujatha's Journey
Written by
Swathi Katta
Every artist's journey begins differently. Some discover Tanjore painting through family traditions. Others stumble upon it while searching for a creative hobby. For Sujatha B., it began with a single video. At the time, she knew very little about Tanjore painting. But after seeing Vibha's artwork, she couldn't stop thinking about it. Instead of enrolling immediately, she spent nearly two years following Tanjore Collective, admiring every painting and waiting for the right opportunity to learn. Today, she has completed the Lord Ganesha Online Course and the Goddess Gajalakshmi Online Course, painted an Ardhanarishwara entirely on her own using the techniques she learned, and has already enrolled in another live online course to continue her artistic journey.
Every artist's journey begins differently.
Some discover Tanjore painting through family traditions. Others stumble upon it while searching for a creative hobby.
For Sujatha B., it began with a single video.
At the time, she knew very little about Tanjore painting. But after seeing Vibha's artwork, she couldn't stop thinking about it. Instead of enrolling immediately, she spent nearly two years following Tanjore Collective, admiring every painting and waiting for the right opportunity to learn.
Today, she has completed the Lord Ganesha Online Course and the Goddess Gajalakshmi Online Course, painted an Ardhanarishwara entirely on her own using the techniques she learned, and has already enrolled in another live online course to continue her artistic journey.
Falling in Love with the Expressions
For Sujatha, it wasn't the gold foil or the intricate detailing that first caught her attention.
It was the life in the paintings.
"Once I saw Vibha's Tanjore paintings, I instantly fell in love with them. The idols' faces and eyes are so expressive, so beautiful. You feel so much positive energy and attraction when you look at their face."
That emotional connection is what eventually led her to search for an online Tanjore painting course where she could learn the traditional art form from experienced teachers.
Finally Joining Live Online Tanjore Painting Classes
After following Tanjore Collective for nearly two years, Sujatha finally enrolled in the live online classes.
Learning from home didn't mean learning alone.
The structured classes included live Zoom sessions, recorded lessons for revision, detailed demonstrations, and personal guidance at every stage. Whether it was embossing, applying gold foil, painting intricate details, or finishing touches, every step was broken down into manageable lessons.
For someone with very little prior knowledge of Tanjore painting, this made the learning process enjoyable instead of overwhelming.
Completing Her First Traditional Tanjore Painting
Sujatha's first course was Lord Ganesha.
Like many beginners, she wasn't sure how her painting would turn out.
But by following the process step by step, she completed a traditional Tanjore painting she could truly be proud of.
"I just finished my first Tanjore painting of Lord Ganesha. I loved it. So happy with the final result."
That first painting gave her something much more valuable than a finished artwork—it gave her confidence.
Confident enough to continue learning.
Learning More Than Just One Painting
After completing Lord Ganesha, Sujatha went on to learn Goddess Gajalakshmi, adding another traditional Tanjore painting to her growing collection.
With every course, she became more comfortable with the techniques, developed a better understanding of colour, detailing, embossing, and gold work, and gained the confidence to take on more challenging subjects.
Just as importantly, she found teachers who supported her throughout the journey.
"Classes were amazing. Vibha, Yashaswini & Spurthy are so nice. They teach so patiently. Each and everything is explained so well."
For students considering live online Tanjore painting classes, patient guidance can make all the difference. Knowing that every question is answered and every technique is demonstrated carefully allows beginners to learn with confidence.
journey.
Taking the Next Step: Painting Ardhanarishwara Independently
Perhaps the biggest milestone in Sujatha's journey came after completing her guided courses.
She decided to paint Ardhanarishwara on her own.
Using the techniques she had learned through the Lord Ganesha and Goddess Gajalakshmi courses, she independently planned and completed the painting herself.
This wasn't a classroom assignment.
It was her own creative project.
Being able to create a Tanjore painting independently is a significant achievement for any student. It shows that the learning goes beyond simply following instructions during class—it becomes a skill that stays with you.
Sujatha's Ardhanarishwara painting is a beautiful reflection of that growth.
A Course That Makes Beginners Feel Comfortable
One of the biggest concerns people have before joining an online Tanjore painting course is whether prior artistic experience is necessary.
Sujatha's experience answers that question clearly.
"They teach so well that anyone can learn it who never did any kind of art."
Whether someone is picking up a paintbrush for the first time or returning to art after many years, structured guidance and patient teaching make the learning experience enjoyable and accessible.
Her Journey Is Still Continuing
Even after completing two online courses and creating an independent Ardhanarishwara painting, Sujatha isn't stopping here.
She has already enrolled in another live online Tanjore painting course with Tanjore Collective, continuing to refine her skills and explore more traditional subjects.
Watching students grow from admirers of the art to independent artists is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do, and we can't wait to see the beautiful painting she creates next.
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