Introduction: Lippan Kaam Clay Art of Gujarat
Lippan art is a clay art form from the state of Gujarat, India. It is mostly done by the village ladies from Kutch to decorate their homes. Traditionally lippan is made by adding mud and cow dung and done on the walls. I am showing a more contemporary way of lippan which used 2 part polymer clay.
Step 1: Materials
We will be using MDF board as the base. The board used here are 6mm boards of dimension 18inch x 18inch.
Also we will be using shilpkar clay which is a different version of m-seal. More white and nonstick.
Glass pieces which can be got from any art and craft store.
Also some acrylic paint to paint our creation.
Also used are some paint brushes and some cutting tools like ice cream sticks, toothpicks etc.
Step 2: Drawing
Take some lippan kaam images and draw onto your mdf board.
Step 3: Developing the Reliefs
Mix the 2 part clay by hand and start developing on the image drawn.
Roll it, press it, pinch it, tear it. Anything you want to do to make your art look great.
Now is the good time to embed the mirrors onto the clay. Yuo can glue them straight onto the mdf if required.
As the clay starts to solidify, use the glue to fix the clay in place, as the clay is non sticky.
When your art form has dried up properly go to the next step.
Step 4: Painting
Use the white acrylic color to give a base coat onto the whole art form.
Actually you are done here. But we are making a contemporary lippan kaam, so we will make it more attractive.
Step 5: Outputs
Many of the unfinished lippan kaam panels when they are still in the drying phase. The base painting will be done as they dry.
Step 6: After Base Whiting
Some of the art forms after they are painted white. Why just white? We are contemporary. Check out the next step for more fun.
Step 7: Finally
This is just one of the lippan kaam output after painting in vibrant colors. These things can not be found much outside Kutch, Gujarat. So go ahead make one too many. Frame and decorate your home.

Runner Up in the
Clay Contest 2016
21 Discussions
4 weeks ago
If i want do lippan art on wall what things i have to use mud and calk power fevical mr. If i use this things there will crack in art work after some work what make difference in mud and ceramic if i use
Question 1 year ago on Step 1
Hi.....can we use MDF board with thinner variety?.....e.g. 2 mm or 2.5 mm?
Answer 1 year ago
Yes! Depends on the complexity of the art form which increases bulk.
Reply 1 year ago
Thank you for your prompt response. I am going to try it for the first time....so I think I will choose a simple design
Question 1 year ago
Can u advise where I can get the shilpkar clay . I stay in Bangalore
Answer 1 year ago
Around India you can find it in any stationary shop for art and craft. Itsy Bitsy is also a good bit in Bangalore. On amazon is also an option: https://amzn.to/2LtfsUa
Reply 1 year ago
Thank you for your prompt response
1 year ago on Step 1
Where can I get shipkar clay ?
Reply 1 year ago
Around India you can find it in any stationary shop for art and craft. Itsy Bitsy is also a good option. On amazon is also an option: https://amzn.to/2LtfsUa
1 year ago
Super.. Waiting to try out the art with my students.
1 year ago
Hi,
This is an amazing art work!
I want to do this with my middle school art students. Will it work on canvas and just regular clay? And what type of paints did you use?
Reply 1 year ago
Possible with normal clay on canvas. You need a binder such as PVA glue mixed with the clay or a thick color coating (like primer) to hold the final clay art in place. We used normal painter's acrylic paint for the finish.
Question 2 years ago on Introduction
what is the level of difficulty for lippan work? can I stick it to a sunmica? If yes, with which adhesive?
Answer 2 years ago
Lippan kaam is not difficult. If you are a beginner, start with an easy design.
It may be little tough to stick Lippan kaam on Sunmica with white PVA glue. You can use Gorilla glue while working on Sunmica.
Best is to work on MDF board.
Question 2 years ago on Step 3
Other than shilpkar and m seal can plaster of Paris be used?
Answer 2 years ago
POP (plaster of paris) can be definitely used. Just that you have to check if POP attaches to MDF board or not. If I use POP, I will add some white glue with the POP dough that I make.
4 years ago
That is one of the prettiest things I have ever seen.
4 years ago
That is beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
4 years ago
Nice. I love gujarati handicraft.
Reply 4 years ago
Me too! Gujarati handicraft and food!