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How Personal Guidance Helped Neha Learn Tanjore Painting Online

Swathi Katta

Written by

Swathi Katta

3 August 2026
Reviewed by Vibha Raj, Founder, Tanjore Collective

In 2024, she enrolled in her first live online Tanjore painting course with Vibha Raj. Over the course of the year, she completed not one but three traditional Tanjore paintings online—Saraswati, Krishna, and Annapoorneshwari.

How Personal Guidance Helped Neha Learn Tanjore Painting Online

Many people admire Tanjore paintings but hesitate to learn them because they seem too intricate.

Raised gesso work, pure gold foil, detailed ornaments, shading, and traditional techniques can make the art form feel overwhelming, especially if you've never painted before.

That was exactly what Neha M experienced before joining Tanjore Collective.

In 2024, she enrolled in her first live online Tanjore painting course with Vibha Raj. Over the course of the year, she completed not one but three traditional Tanjore paintings online—Saraswati, Krishna, and Annapoorneshwari.

What changed?

According to Neha, it was the way the course simplified every step of the process.

"The techniques and traditions of Tanjore painting were beautifully explained, making the complex art form accessible even to beginners like myself."

Traditional Tanjore painting has many stages that need to be learned in the right order—from preparing the surface and creating embossed gesso work to applying gold foil, placing stones, and completing the final painting.

Rather than feeling overwhelmed by all these techniques at once, Neha was able to learn each stage through structured live online classes.

Learning Online Without Feeling Alone

One of the biggest concerns students have before joining an online art course is whether they'll receive enough support.

Will someone correct mistakes?

Will they know what to do if they get stuck?

For Neha, the support throughout the course made all the difference.

"A special thank you to Vibha and her team for their unwavering support and guidance throughout the class."

Every live session gave students the opportunity to ask questions, clarify techniques, and learn directly from the instructor. Combined with personalized guidance, the online format became much more than simply watching videos.

Small Feedback That Builds Confidence

Learning a traditional art form isn't just about following instructions.

Sometimes a slight correction in shading, the placement of stones, or the application of gold foil can completely change the final result.

Neha appreciated the individual attention she received during the course.

"Their expertise and patience made all the difference, ensuring that each participant felt confident and encouraged in their artistic journey. The attention to detail and the personalized feedback provided were invaluable."

That confidence encouraged her to continue learning.

Instead of stopping after one course, she went on to complete two more Tanjore paintings with Tanjore Collective during the same year.

From Beginner to Three Traditional Paintings

Completing one painting is an achievement.

Returning to learn two more speaks volumes about the learning experience.

Over the course of a year, Neha completed three live online courses:

  • Saraswati
  • Krishna
  • Annapoorneshwari

Each project helped her build new skills while deepening her understanding of this centuries-old South Indian art form.

Neha's Experience

Summing up her journey, Neha shared:

"I highly recommend the Tanjore Collective painting class to anyone interested in exploring this unique art form. Thank you again, Vibha and team, for a wonderful experience!"

If you've always admired Tanjore paintings but felt they were too difficult to learn, Neha's journey shows that with the right guidance, patient teaching, and structured lessons, even beginners can confidently create authentic traditional Tanjore paintings from home.

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What our students say

Hear from students who've learned the art of Tanjore painting with us.

Apoorva Y

I consider Tanjore art is one of the difficult arts vibha made it easy to achieve that too through online. Her techniques are good and we were able to follow her on live sessions. I want to learn more Tanjore paintings with Tanjore collective.

Apoorva Y

Goddess Lakshmi

Asha R

They have a beautiful studio, filled with their lovely Tanjore collections, which are outstanding. I never thought I would learn the art so quickly n easily. Vibha n team were very warm n patient in teaching me the art n painting. They actually instill so much confidence in you n make it look so easy for beginners, that it actually helps anyone learn it quickly. Their method of teaching, materials provided, training and facilities provided to learn are top notch.

Asha R

Lord Balaji

Sandhya D

Creating my first Tanjore painting of Goddess Lakshmi Devi through Tanjore Collective's DIY course was a truly fulfilling experience. The course was very well structured, which made learning Tanjore painting much easier, even as a beginner. Vibha did a wonderful job explaining every intricate detail with clarity and patience. The step-by-step guidance helped me feel confident throughout the process, and seeing the final painting brought me immense happiness.

Sandhya D

Goddess Lakshmi

Anupama

It was a wonderful experience to learn tanjore art from Tanjore collective. The whole journey was very inspiring, relaxing and interesting. Thank you Vibha and Yashaswini for being so patience in teaching each and every step of the process and making us so confident in completing the art with perfection.

Anupama

Lord Ganesha

Raveen B

Vibha taught us very well, asking us to try repeatedly until we got it right. Always having a smile on her face and clearing all our doubts. Had a great time learning from her and making new friends of like minded interest in art.

Raveen B

Lord Balaji

Jenny K

I had a wonderful time completing my Goddess Lakshmi painting. From preparing the Arabic gum and embossing, to applying the gold sheets, painting, and refining the details, Vibha provided clear and detailed guidance throughout the online course. This was my first experience with Tanjore art, and completing the painting over two months gave me a deep sense of accomplishment. The process brought me clarity and calm, and I now love seeing the finished artwork — it adds colour and vibrancy to my home.

Jenny K

Goddess Lakshmi

Sushma S

Tanjore painting is a beautiful and intricate art form, known for its rich colors, compact composition and surface richness, which makes it truly special. Creating my first Tanjore Painting of Lord Hanuman with Tanjore Collective Art Studio through their online classes was incredible.

Sushma S

Lord Hanuman

Kavitha S

Tanjore collective is an experience. I enrolled for the Gajalakshmi studio course and this was my first ever attempt at Tanjore painting. Vibha, her mom and the entire team is amazing. They are very patient and make sure you learn at your pace. The studio environment is also so beautiful and makes the learning a meditative experience.

Kavitha S

Goddess Gajalakshmi

Archana I

I joined Tanjore Collective's online DIY course this April. I had always wanted to learn this intricate art form but felt apprehensive, unsure if I could do it without proper guidance. The DIY course allows you to access the videos at your own pace, and the structure of the course is excellent. Vibha ji explains every step with great clarity, making it especially beginner-friendly. She truly made the entire process feel approachable and achievable.

Archana I

DIY Course

Raksha P

I had a wonderful experience being a part of the Saraswati Devi Tanjavur painting course. Vibha was extremely encouraging and gave detailed instructions at every stage of the painting, for each intricate pattern the painting required. I thoroughly enjoyed learning and painting in the classes and the outcome is beautiful!

Raksha P

Goddess Saraswati

Apoorva Y

I consider Tanjore art to be one of the more challenging art forms, but Vibha made it easy to learn — even through online classes. Her techniques are clear and effective, and we were able to follow along comfortably during the live sessions. I look forward to learning many more Tanjore paintings with Tanjore Collective.

Apoorva Y

DIY Course

Priya S

I enrolled for online ganesha tanjore painting course with vibha. This is my first attempt at any form of painting so I was naturally doubtful if I could do this, but the way Vibha taught the process step by step without even realising i was able to see the Tanjore painting come to life by following the steps.

Priya S

Lord Ganesha

Padma K

The Tanjore painting course, which I recently completed at Tanjore Collective, was a truly enriching experience. The course delved into the intricate techniques of this traditional art form, from preparing the canvas with gesso to mastering the delicate gold leaf application. The instructors were highly skilled, guiding us through each step with patience and expertise.

Padma K

Goddess Saraswathi

Sahana H

I took up the Gaja lakshmi course online. Initially I was quite sceptical as to how the online classes would be, as this art form is quite detailed and needs a lot of focus and attention. But at Tanjore Collective, Vibha and team have made it possible for everyone out there to easily learn and master the art form.

Sahana H

Lord Balaji

Tarun K

Enrolling in the online Tanjore painting classes was a truly transformative experience for me. The course struck a wonderful balance between traditional techniques and thoughtful modern teaching. I especially enjoyed learning the intricate designs, embossed muck work, the use of vibrant colours, and the application of gold foil — the hallmark of Tanjore painting. Vibha's step-by-step guidance allowed me to practice patiently and improve my skills with confidence.

Tarun K

DIY Course

Manasa C

Learning from Vibha was truly inspiring. Her patience and attention to detail made the entire process feel approachable.

Manasa C

Tanjore Painting

Apoorva YM

The way Vibha breaks down complex techniques into simple steps is remarkable. I never thought I could create something this beautiful.

Apoorva YM

Tanjore Painting

Pulimivijayalakshmi R

Vibha's teaching style is incredibly clear and supportive. She made sure every student felt confident at every stage.

Pulimivijayalakshmi R

Tanjore Painting

Vani R

Every class with Vibha felt like a meditative experience. Her calm guidance and expertise made the journey truly special.

Vani R

Tanjore Painting

Vani P

Vibha's encouragement and detailed feedback helped me grow so much as an artist. I'm grateful for the experience.

Vani P

Tanjore Painting

Meghana

Spurthy's warmth and patience made the learning experience truly enjoyable. She has a way of making complex techniques feel simple.

Meghana

Tanjore Painting

Akshatha

I loved how Spurthy encouraged us to explore and experiment while maintaining the traditional techniques. She's a wonderful teacher.

Akshatha

Tanjore Painting

Revathi

Spurthy's calm and encouraging teaching style helped me overcome my initial hesitation and truly enjoy the art of Tanjore painting.

Revathi

Tanjore Painting

Sunitha

Learning from Spurthy was a delightful experience. Her attention to detail and friendly approach made every session something to look forward to.

Sunitha

Tanjore Painting

Ritu

Spurthy's guidance was invaluable. She has an incredible ability to spot areas for improvement and offer constructive feedback with a smile.

Ritu

Tanjore Painting

Nithya

Yashaswini's clarity in teaching complex techniques made my learning journey smooth and enjoyable. Her step-by-step approach gave me confidence.

Nithya

Tanjore Painting

Sushma

I appreciated Yashaswini's patience and attention to detail. She ensured each student understood every step before moving forward.

Sushma

Tanjore Painting

Anupama

Yashaswini's gentle corrections and encouraging words helped me improve tremendously. She has a real gift for teaching.

Anupama

Tanjore Painting

Meghana

Learning from Yashaswini was a wonderful experience. Her calm demeanor and thorough explanations made the art form accessible.

Meghana

Tanjore Painting

Radha

Yashaswini's dedicated approach to teaching and her eye for detail made every class enriching. I'm grateful for her guidance.

Radha

Tanjore Painting

Apoorva Y

I consider Tanjore art is one of the difficult arts vibha made it easy to achieve that too through online. Her techniques are good and we were able to follow her on live sessions. I want to learn more Tanjore paintings with Tanjore collective.

Apoorva Y

Goddess Lakshmi

Asha R

They have a beautiful studio, filled with their lovely Tanjore collections, which are outstanding. I never thought I would learn the art so quickly n easily. Vibha n team were very warm n patient in teaching me the art n painting. They actually instill so much confidence in you n make it look so easy for beginners, that it actually helps anyone learn it quickly. Their method of teaching, materials provided, training and facilities provided to learn are top notch.

Asha R

Lord Balaji

Sandhya D

Creating my first Tanjore painting of Goddess Lakshmi Devi through Tanjore Collective's DIY course was a truly fulfilling experience. The course was very well structured, which made learning Tanjore painting much easier, even as a beginner. Vibha did a wonderful job explaining every intricate detail with clarity and patience. The step-by-step guidance helped me feel confident throughout the process, and seeing the final painting brought me immense happiness.

Sandhya D

Goddess Lakshmi

Anupama

It was a wonderful experience to learn tanjore art from Tanjore collective. The whole journey was very inspiring, relaxing and interesting. Thank you Vibha and Yashaswini for being so patience in teaching each and every step of the process and making us so confident in completing the art with perfection.

Anupama

Lord Ganesha

Raveen B

Vibha taught us very well, asking us to try repeatedly until we got it right. Always having a smile on her face and clearing all our doubts. Had a great time learning from her and making new friends of like minded interest in art.

Raveen B

Lord Balaji

Jenny K

I had a wonderful time completing my Goddess Lakshmi painting. From preparing the Arabic gum and embossing, to applying the gold sheets, painting, and refining the details, Vibha provided clear and detailed guidance throughout the online course. This was my first experience with Tanjore art, and completing the painting over two months gave me a deep sense of accomplishment. The process brought me clarity and calm, and I now love seeing the finished artwork — it adds colour and vibrancy to my home.

Jenny K

Goddess Lakshmi

Sushma S

Tanjore painting is a beautiful and intricate art form, known for its rich colors, compact composition and surface richness, which makes it truly special. Creating my first Tanjore Painting of Lord Hanuman with Tanjore Collective Art Studio through their online classes was incredible.

Sushma S

Lord Hanuman

Kavitha S

Tanjore collective is an experience. I enrolled for the Gajalakshmi studio course and this was my first ever attempt at Tanjore painting. Vibha, her mom and the entire team is amazing. They are very patient and make sure you learn at your pace. The studio environment is also so beautiful and makes the learning a meditative experience.

Kavitha S

Goddess Gajalakshmi

Archana I

I joined Tanjore Collective's online DIY course this April. I had always wanted to learn this intricate art form but felt apprehensive, unsure if I could do it without proper guidance. The DIY course allows you to access the videos at your own pace, and the structure of the course is excellent. Vibha ji explains every step with great clarity, making it especially beginner-friendly. She truly made the entire process feel approachable and achievable.

Archana I

DIY Course

Raksha P

I had a wonderful experience being a part of the Saraswati Devi Tanjavur painting course. Vibha was extremely encouraging and gave detailed instructions at every stage of the painting, for each intricate pattern the painting required. I thoroughly enjoyed learning and painting in the classes and the outcome is beautiful!

Raksha P

Goddess Saraswati

Apoorva Y

I consider Tanjore art to be one of the more challenging art forms, but Vibha made it easy to learn — even through online classes. Her techniques are clear and effective, and we were able to follow along comfortably during the live sessions. I look forward to learning many more Tanjore paintings with Tanjore Collective.

Apoorva Y

DIY Course

Priya S

I enrolled for online ganesha tanjore painting course with vibha. This is my first attempt at any form of painting so I was naturally doubtful if I could do this, but the way Vibha taught the process step by step without even realising i was able to see the Tanjore painting come to life by following the steps.

Priya S

Lord Ganesha

Padma K

The Tanjore painting course, which I recently completed at Tanjore Collective, was a truly enriching experience. The course delved into the intricate techniques of this traditional art form, from preparing the canvas with gesso to mastering the delicate gold leaf application. The instructors were highly skilled, guiding us through each step with patience and expertise.

Padma K

Goddess Saraswathi

Sahana H

I took up the Gaja lakshmi course online. Initially I was quite sceptical as to how the online classes would be, as this art form is quite detailed and needs a lot of focus and attention. But at Tanjore Collective, Vibha and team have made it possible for everyone out there to easily learn and master the art form.

Sahana H

Lord Balaji

Tarun K

Enrolling in the online Tanjore painting classes was a truly transformative experience for me. The course struck a wonderful balance between traditional techniques and thoughtful modern teaching. I especially enjoyed learning the intricate designs, embossed muck work, the use of vibrant colours, and the application of gold foil — the hallmark of Tanjore painting. Vibha's step-by-step guidance allowed me to practice patiently and improve my skills with confidence.

Tarun K

DIY Course

Manasa C

Learning from Vibha was truly inspiring. Her patience and attention to detail made the entire process feel approachable.

Manasa C

Tanjore Painting

Apoorva YM

The way Vibha breaks down complex techniques into simple steps is remarkable. I never thought I could create something this beautiful.

Apoorva YM

Tanjore Painting

Pulimivijayalakshmi R

Vibha's teaching style is incredibly clear and supportive. She made sure every student felt confident at every stage.

Pulimivijayalakshmi R

Tanjore Painting

Vani R

Every class with Vibha felt like a meditative experience. Her calm guidance and expertise made the journey truly special.

Vani R

Tanjore Painting

Vani P

Vibha's encouragement and detailed feedback helped me grow so much as an artist. I'm grateful for the experience.

Vani P

Tanjore Painting

Meghana

Spurthy's warmth and patience made the learning experience truly enjoyable. She has a way of making complex techniques feel simple.

Meghana

Tanjore Painting

Akshatha

I loved how Spurthy encouraged us to explore and experiment while maintaining the traditional techniques. She's a wonderful teacher.

Akshatha

Tanjore Painting

Revathi

Spurthy's calm and encouraging teaching style helped me overcome my initial hesitation and truly enjoy the art of Tanjore painting.

Revathi

Tanjore Painting

Sunitha

Learning from Spurthy was a delightful experience. Her attention to detail and friendly approach made every session something to look forward to.

Sunitha

Tanjore Painting

Ritu

Spurthy's guidance was invaluable. She has an incredible ability to spot areas for improvement and offer constructive feedback with a smile.

Ritu

Tanjore Painting

Nithya

Yashaswini's clarity in teaching complex techniques made my learning journey smooth and enjoyable. Her step-by-step approach gave me confidence.

Nithya

Tanjore Painting

Sushma

I appreciated Yashaswini's patience and attention to detail. She ensured each student understood every step before moving forward.

Sushma

Tanjore Painting

Anupama

Yashaswini's gentle corrections and encouraging words helped me improve tremendously. She has a real gift for teaching.

Anupama

Tanjore Painting

Meghana

Learning from Yashaswini was a wonderful experience. Her calm demeanor and thorough explanations made the art form accessible.

Meghana

Tanjore Painting

Radha

Yashaswini's dedicated approach to teaching and her eye for detail made every class enriching. I'm grateful for her guidance.

Radha

Tanjore Painting