Krishna, the Divine Cowherd

About the workshop

Enjoy the learning Pattachitra painting "Krishna, the Divine Cowherd " using traditional motifs and techniques with national awardee artist Mr. Bhaskar Mohapatra

Pattachitra is an ancient art form from Odisha, India, dating back to the 12th century. Artists, called Chitrakars, use 100% natural colors from conch shells and minerals to create intricate paintings on various surfaces like cloth, palm leaves, wood, and jewelry. The art depicts Hindu mythological stories, particularly around Lord Jagannath, Vaishnavism, and local folk tales, reflecting Odia tradition. Evolving, Pattachitra adapted to British and European tastes in the 19th century, preserving its rich legacy with vibrant colors and intricate details, offering a captivating visual representation of Odia culture.

Krishna, the Divine Cowherd: This vibrant Pattachitra painting beautifully depicts Lord Krishna in a serene pastoral setting. He is portrayed with his characteristic blue skin, adorned with intricate gold jewelry and a peacock feather crown, playing his melodious flute. Krishna is seated gracefully on Kamadhenu, the divine wish-granting cow, symbolizing prosperity and nourishment. A smaller calf stands affectionately beside its mother, highlighting the theme of nurturing and abundance. The backdrop features a lush tree with colorful birds, set against a rich red sky, indicative of the traditional Pattachitra style. The intricate border with floral and vine motifs further enhances the visual appeal of this folk art from India. This artwork likely celebrates Krishna's role as a protector of cows and the natural world, embodying themes of divinity, harmony, and the sacredness of life.

In this 2-week workshop, create your masterpiece, learning the techniques and history of this beautiful art form. You can attend live Zoom sessions where you interact with the master artist and other participants, learning not only the art form in depth but also more about the culture of the region. The recorded videos will be available after the sessions as well.

This is a great opportunity to learn the motifs, techniques, and history of this ancient art form. Sign up for the workshop today!

Theme: Krishna, the Divine Cowherd
Dates: 11th to 21st Aug 2025 (Mon to Fri)
Time: 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM IST (2 weeks)
Duration: 12 Hours (10 Sessions approx)
Original Price: INR 2400

Learning Objectives and Modules

Learn the intricate design and techniques of Pattachitra paintings along with live artist interaction. Also, learn the importance of motifs in Pattachitra painting, the folk stories behind the paintings, their relevance in modern times, and the peculiar features of Pattachitra painting, from base coloring to detailing.

What we will learn :

To understand the history, origin, and cultural significance of Pattachitra, with a focus on its depictions of deities.
To identify traditional motifs, color schemes, and stylistic elements of Pattachitra.
To discuss the symbolism and stories associated with Krishna
Complete a detailed Pattachitra painting featuring Krishna as the central figure.

Module Details :

Module 1 to 5

Module 1: Introduction to Pattachitra and Krishna and the cow as a theme

Module 2: Practice basic color application techniques, including filling, shading, and highlighting.

Module 3: Applying the color washes to the Krishna figure, paying attention to the color boundaries and consistency.

Module 4: Learning the traditional Pattachitra techniques for representing jewelry and decorative patterns.

Module 5: Applying delicate highlights to the ornaments and figures to enhance their visual impact

Module 6 to 10

Module 6: Refine the painting, ensuring accuracy in colors, lines, and details compared to the provided image.

Module 7: Learn to create the delicate details and intricate designs that characterize Pattachitra.

Module 8: Applying colors to the background and border, maintaining the precision and detail of the patterns.

Module 9: To learn about the Black outlining for defining features

Module 10: Learn to apply final touches, such as outlining and highlighting

Materials Needed

Material Needed:

Chart Papers / Canvas -13*19 Inches
Acrylic Colors
Pencils / Eraser / Sharpener/Black Colour Pen / Thin Marker
Long Hair Brushes: 0/1/2/3
(Basic Sketch Would Be Provided As Pre-Work For Tracing / Sketching)

About the Master Artist

Bhaskar Mohapatra is an award-winning Pattachitra artist from Odisha, India, known for vibrant scroll paintings without pencil or charcoal sketches. He continues a family tradition of hereditary chitrakars, emphasizing cultural and familial importance. Using traditional methods for colors and canvases adds authenticity, preserving Pattachitra's cultural heritage. Bhaskar's diverse themes and award-winning work contribute to the versatility and significance of Pattachitra art nationally, aiding its continuation and revitalization.

Know more - About the Artist

Image Source and Disclaimers

Disclaimer for the art workshop:

The artist will make the painting in the standard size, and it is recommended to use the same size. However, participants may choose other sizes at their convenience and seek artist guidance in live sessions to manage the artwork in their chosen canvas size.
The artist typically uses the brushes at their convenience as they have years of experience. Participants may choose the brush size as per their convenience and level of expertise, and seek artist guidance in the live sessions.
Artists use the sample image as a reference image for teaching purposes only. They typically provide their interpretation and variations to make a unique artwork. Sample image is not copied as it is and Catterfly provides the due credit to the original artist (wherever available) in our marketing communications.

**The displayed image is a representational image from the net. Check our website to see the source and name of the original artist**

Credit for the reference image: Subrat

*Source*