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.

Clay Contest 2016

Runner Up in the
Clay Contest 2016