What It’s Really Like to Learn Saraswati Tanjore Painting in a Studio: Inside Our Students’ Journey
Written by
Swathi Katta
A Tanjore painting takes time, patience and plenty of attention to detail. For a beginner, knowing where to start can be the hardest part. Our Saraswati Studio Course takes students through the process step by step, with in-person guidance and corrections along the way. These students share what that journey looked like for them, from learning the basics to finally seeing their Saraswati paintings come together.
Madumathi: Learning Tanjore Painting from the Ground Up
For Madumathi S, the Saraswati course was her first experience with Tanjore painting.
As a complete beginner, she appreciated being introduced to the art form from the very beginning and gradually moving towards more advanced techniques.
“As a complete beginner to Tanjore painting, they teach from complete basic level to advanced painting techniques all in one course.”
That progression is particularly important with Tanjore painting. There are several stages involved in creating the artwork, and each one builds on the previous step. Learning them in sequence helps a beginner understand not just what to do, but why each stage matters to the finished painting.
For Madumathi, having a teacher guide her through that process made the experience feel approachable.
She also had a special mention for Spurthy, appreciating her talent and passion for teaching.
“She is very very talented and is a very passionate teacher!!”
Starting with no experience and gradually working towards a detailed Saraswati painting became a journey she thoroughly enjoyed.
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Shilpa: Understanding the Details That Make a Tanjore Painting
Once the basics are in place, Tanjore painting becomes all about the details.
For Shilpa S, this was one of the most valuable parts of learning at the studio. As she worked through her painting, the guidance and corrections helped her understand the finer aspects of the artwork.
“There is so much detail involved in Tanjore painting, and their guidance, corrections and attention to the finer aspects have helped me improve with every painting.”
With a traditional art form like Tanjore painting, having someone look closely at your work can make a real difference. A small correction at one stage can affect how the next stage turns out.
For Shilpa, that continuous feedback wasn't just helping her complete the painting—it was helping her become better at the art form itself.
And she could see that improvement.
“For me, the most rewarding part has been seeing the difference between my earlier work and what I am able to create now.”
That progress gave her the confidence to continue practising and attempt more detailed work.
“The course has given me the confidence to keep practising and attempt more detailed work.”
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Varsha: Having Someone Guide Her Through Every Step
For Varsha R, the process became easier to enjoy because she knew she had guidance whenever she needed it.
She describes Vibha and the team as patient, sweet and encouraging, and particularly remembers Yashaswini's support throughout the painting.
“Shoutout to Yashaswini who guided me through every step ✨”
That kind of hands-on guidance is especially meaningful when working through the many stages of a Tanjore painting. Instead of being left to figure out a technique on her own, Varsha could learn it, try it and get help as she progressed.
The result was a process she found deeply satisfying.
“It was so satisfying to see the painting come together and seeing the final result was so rewarding.”
And the environment played its own part.
“The studio has the most relaxing vibe, I’m so grateful I was able to explore this art form!”
For Varsha, the studio wasn't just where the classes happened. It became a comfortable space to focus, learn and enjoy the process.
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Divya: Discovering How Much Patience Goes Into Tanjore Painting
For Divya D, working through the painting gave her a completely different appreciation for Tanjore art.
The intricate work requires concentration, patience and a willingness to spend time on the smallest details. Experiencing that process herself made her look at the work of Tanjore artists differently.
“This experience gave me a whole new level of respect for Tanjore artists, it requires immense focus, intricate detail, and deep patience.”
And after putting all that patience into her own painting, the finished artwork came as a pleasant surprise.
“I'm still in awe of my own painting and can't believe I made it.”
Divya also remembers Vibha Ma'am's teaching and Yashaswini's continuous guidance throughout the course.
For her, learning the techniques was only one part of the experience. Understanding the patience and craftsmanship behind the art was another.
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Hashita: Watching Her Entire Board Take Shape
For Hashita BR, the highlight was seeing all the individual stages eventually become one complete painting.
“The whole process was so fantastic.”
With guidance from the entire team, she worked her way through the different stages of her Saraswati painting.
Then came the moment when she could finally step back and see the whole board.
“I’m so happy with how my entire board turned out to be.”
That transition—from concentrating on individual sections and details to finally seeing the finished artwork as a whole—is one of the most satisfying parts of creating a Tanjore painting.
What begins as a board gradually becomes Saraswati Devi, with every stage adding another layer to the finished piece.
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Sanika: Finding a New Way to Explore Her Love for Art
For Sanika P, the course was an opportunity to step into an art form that was completely new to her.
“As someone who loves art, it was so special to explore a completely new genre.”
While she already had an interest in art, Tanjore painting gave her a different way to express that creativity. The traditional techniques, intricate details and process offered something very different from the forms of art she may have been familiar with.
She also appreciated the kindness and encouragement she received during the course.
“Thank you for being so kind and encouraging, and for giving me this beautiful opportunity to learn and showcase my art in a different form.”
Sometimes, learning a new art form is simply about giving yourself the opportunity to try something you've never done before. For Sanika, the Saraswati course gave her exactly that.
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Six Students, One Journey from Board to Painting
Every student came to the Saraswati Studio Course with a different starting point.
Madumathi began as a complete beginner. Shilpa focused on improving her technique through corrections and attention to detail. Varsha valued having guidance through every step. Divya discovered the patience behind the craft. Hashita enjoyed watching the entire board come together. And Sanika found a new artistic genre to explore.
Together, their experiences show what makes learning Tanjore painting such a rewarding process.
It starts with the basics. Then come the techniques, the details, the corrections and the patience. Slowly, the painting begins to take shape.
And finally, there is that moment when you step back and see Saraswati on the board, not as something you were simply taught to make, but as something you made yourself.
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