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.

Comments

[rockingirl24]

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

[mrudula123]

Hi.....can we use MDF board with thinner variety?.....e.g. 2 mm or 2.5 mm?

[artworker]

Yes! Depends on the complexity of the art form which increases bulk.

[mrudula123]

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

[Pushpa Nambiar]

Can u advise where I can get the shilpkar clay . I stay in Bangalore

[artworker]

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

[Pushpa Nambiar]

Thank you for your prompt response

[Pushpa Nambiar]

Where can I get shipkar clay ?

[artworker]

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

[Vinimae]

Super.. Waiting to try out the art with my students.

[PreetiM9]

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?

[artworker]

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.

[चित्राभ]

what is the level of difficulty for lippan work? can I stick it to a sunmica? If yes, with which adhesive?

[artworker]

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.

[RitikaJ2]

Other than shilpkar and m seal can plaster of Paris be used?

[artworker]

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.

[Tura Street]

That is one of the prettiest things I have ever seen.

[offseid]

That is beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

[Simran Sharma]

Nice. I love gujarati handicraft.

[artworker]

Me too! Gujarati handicraft and food!