Mediaeval Sinhalese Art c19.19

c19.19

Pattern work is done in a corresponding manner. It is usual to determine first the position of the most important elements, such as flowers or animals, then to connect them together, and last to add the leaves and detail on the stems. The black outline, and occasional use of a little green, black, or white detail, temper any hardness of contrast between the red and yellow. When a particular flower or animal is to be repeated several times, a paper pattern (*accuva*) is made, and the outline traced from it wherever required. Pouncing seems to be unknown, although a familiar practice in India and Siam. When a limited space has to be filled with a repeating pattern, it is carefully subdivided with compasses, so as to allow the pattern to begin and end well. All important principles of the construc- *Painting* tion of design were fully understood, as may be judged from an examination of Figs. 29 and 52.