Jain Miniature Paintings from Western India c10.37

c10.37

An old folio in Gujarātī in the possession of Muni Punyavijayajī gives an interesting account of the different colours used in the final outlines of the figures²⁴. Thus, the formula prescribes lampblack and orpiment for outlining the figures in parrot green; for indigo and ultramarine blue, zinc-white; for pink and rose, lac-dye; for gold, lampblack, and for shellac red, lampblack and zinc-white. From the examination of Western Indian miniatures of the paper period, it is evident that the instructions given above were actually at times used. This outlining in contrasting colours was necessary to bring out the effects of the different body colours used in Western Indian painting.