Jain Miniature Paintings from Western India c9.5

c9.5

No mineral colour was used in its pristine stage; all impurities were removed by the process of levigation. To separate the colours from two undesirable elements, the sand and humus, the earth is dissolved in water. Naturally, the sand is deposited at the bottom, and the peat and mould tend to float and are skimmed off. But before the coloured earth also sets at the bottom, the water is quickly drained in to another vessel. This process is repeated several times, till the colour is cleaned of all impurities. After being dried in the sun, the colour is ready to be used.