Jain Journal 1970 04

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 25

APRIL, 1970
219
it is apparent that it is not white lead but perhaps, burnt conch-shell, kaolin or chalk.
According to Silparatna, white used as priming was obtained from burnt conch-shell or white earth, the exudation of elephant apple and nim serving as binding media.
The method of preparing zinc-white for painting is as follows : the best quality of Kashgar zinc-white is ground and sifted through a piece of muslin. This powder is gradually dissolved in dhau-gum solution in a porcelain basin, till it attains the consistency of thick milk. This mixture is slowly drained into another basin, so that the impurities deposited at the bottom are left over. This process is repeated several times, till pure zinc-white is obtained.
Black
The medieval Sanskrit texts on painting knew only of two formulas of the preparation of black pigment. The Silparatna gives the following methods for obtaining the lamp-black. (1) In an earthen cup filled with oil, the wick saturated with oil is lighted. Then a globular earthen pot, with the inside of its belly besmeared with dried cowdung, is placed over the flame of the lamp. The lamp black sticking inside the pot should then be scraped, kneaded in an earthen pot and allowed to dry. Then it should be mixed with nim water gum and pure water, levigated and then dried. (2) It may be obtained from certain mineral. A barley grain of blue metal (perhaps antimony) should be reduced to fine powder and then mixed with the Kapittha-juice it should be dried.
Red
Red is the favourite colour with Nature. There are red stones, clays and red limes, in which the oxide of iron is always present. In the medieval Sanskrit texts on painting various shades of red are desscibed.
Red Ochre (geru). It is a colour widely used in ancient paintings and its hue is light and warm. The Venetian red stands for red ochre in the range of European colours. It is doubtful whether it was used in Western Indian miniatures. According to Silparatna red ochre was levigated on stone for full one day and then pure colour is obtained by the washing process.