Archana Iyer had always admired the beauty and richness of Tanjore paintings. However, like many beginners, she felt unsure about whether she could create one herself. The layered process, embossing, and gold work seemed complex without proper guidance.
Her perspective changed after she came across Tanjore Collective on Instagram.
“I stumbled upon their page on Instagram and was mesmerized by their collection. Seeing how beautifully their students were able to complete the paintings motivated me to join the course.”
Encouraged by the student works she saw online, Archana enrolled in the Goddess Lakshmi DIY Video Course, choosing a 12 x 15 inch canvas. This became her very first Tanjore painting, completed entirely through a self-paced online format.
Starting Her Tanjore Painting Journey Online
Archana joined the DIY Lakshmi Tanjore Painting course in April. Designed for students who wish to learn at their own pace, the DIY format gave her access to detailed pre-recorded videos that could be watched anytime.
“The DIY course enables us to access the videos anytime we like. The course was well structured.”
The early lessons focused on understanding materials, preparing the canvas, and learning the foundational steps involved in building a traditional Tanjore painting.
Learning as a Beginner with Clear Guidance
As a beginner, Archana initially worried about learning such a detailed art form without attending physical classes.
“I always wanted to learn this intricate art but was very apprehensive as I felt I may not be able to do it without proper guidance.”
The step-by-step breakdown of each stage—from sketching and embossing to gold foil application and painting—helped her overcome that hesitation.
“Vibha ji explained every small step in detail and guided a beginner very well.”
The clarity of instruction allowed Archana to move through each stage with confidence and ease.
Embossing, Gold Work, and Painting Techniques
As the course progressed, Archana worked through key techniques such as embossing, kundan placement, and gold foil application. The detailed videos demonstrated how to build embossing layers correctly and apply gold sheets neatly, even in intricate areas.
“She made the entire art process seem easy.”
The painting stage focused on colour application, shading, and detailing—especially for the deity’s face, saree, and lotus. Being able to pause, rewatch, and practise alongside the videos helped Archana refine her work at her own pace.
Support Beyond the Videos
Although the course was pre-recorded, Archana never felt she was learning alone. Teacher support played an important role throughout her journey.
“She was just a phone call away in case of doubts and would also suggest changes for improvement in our paintings whenever required.”
This combination of structured video lessons and personal guidance ensured that Archana could correct mistakes and steadily improve her painting.
Completing Her Goddess Lakshmi Painting
By the end of the course, Archana successfully completed her 12 x 15 inch Goddess Lakshmi Tanjore painting, gaining confidence in both technique and process.
“I loved the entire course and I am very happy with the outcome.”
Her experience reflects how a well-structured DIY course, supported by expert guidance, can help beginners complete a traditional Tanjore painting independently.
A Positive Learning Experience
Archana concludes her journey on a grateful note:
“Looking forward to more courses with them :)”
Her story highlights how the Goddess Lakshmi DIY Tanjore Painting Course makes it possible for beginners to overcome hesitation, learn at their own pace, and successfully create a traditional artwork from start to finish.
