An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c18.s5.1

v1.c18.s5.1

The colours used by cave artists are natural mineral colours available in local geological formations. The most common colour is haematite red which is found in various shades of orange, vermilion, light-red, crimson, chocolate and purple. The second common colour is lime-white which also is available in several shades such as milky-white, greyish-white and yellow ochre. Emerald-green has been used for a few paintings at Bhopal, BHIMBETKA, Lakhajuar and Jaora. Yellow, dark green and black have very rarely been used. Pigment produced from mineral nodules was diluted with water and probably mixed with animal fat and glue. Paintings are drawn on natural rock surfaces without any preparation of background such as by grinding, smoothening or plastering. Very fine as well as thick brushes were used. These must have been made of twigs and animal hair.