Gond Course

Learn India's rich tribal art - Gond Painting

Duration 5.5 Hours
Level Multi-Level
Language Hindi, English

About Maestro Course

The traditional art form of the Gonds is one of the oldest art forms of the Indian subcontinent. It can be traced back to the 6th century CE, with some researchers suggesting that the neolithic cave paintings of the Bhimbetka Caves, in present-day Madhya Pradesh, are their predecessors. In this Gond Maestro Course, master artist Shri Venkat Raman Singh Shyam will take you through the historical background of the art form, his community, and his creative process, along with a step-by-step guide to making a Gond artwork.

Lessons

Gond Painting Maestro Course

Introduction to Gond Painting

Welcome! Here, you will be introduced to the 1400-year-old art form of the Gonds!

Introduction to Shri Venkat Raman Singh Shyam

Meet master artist Shri Venkat Raman Singh Shyam, the renowned Gond artist, who has been practicing the art for over 35 years!

History of Gond Painting

Listen to Venkat Shyam Ji talk about similarities in Gond and Aboriginal arts, the value of patterns in Gond art, and what they mean to him.

Origin of Gond Painting

Here, you will learn about the origin of the art form and the current geographical spread of the community that practices it.

Patterns in Gond painting

You are introduced to two of the signature patterns used by Venkat Shyam Ji and the meanings behind them.

Brushes in Gond painting

In this module, the master artist explains how traditional Gond painting brushes were made.

Colours in Gond painting.

In this module, the master artist delves into the use and preparation of natural colors in Gond paintings.

Brief Overview of the Creative Process

Here, Venkat Shyam Ji simplifies his creative process into five steps and provides a sketch to give learners a brief overview.

Importance of Lines and Dots

Venkat Shyam Ji explains the importance of lines and dots as patterns used in Gond paintings, followed by providing some examples.

Gond Painting Basic Course

Introduction to Basic Course

Welcome to the Basic Course! In this module, you will learn to paint a bird in the Gond art form, with tips from the artist!

Basic Sketching

The master artist begins by gradually guiding you through the basic sketch of the bird you will be working on.

First Colour Coat

In this module, apply the first layer of color to your painting. The fun begins now!

Second Colour Coat

Now, give your painting the second layer of colour to give it a strong base. This will allow the later patterns to stand out.

Add Details

Post filling in the base colours, start adding the detailed patterns to your artworks.

Further Detailing

In this course module, add more patterns to your painting and complete your artwork with finishing touches!

Gond Painting Intermediate Course

Introduction to Intermediate Course

Welcome to the Intermediate Course! In this course, we introduce you to the motifs of an elephant and a tree in Gond art.

Sketching

In this module, learn how to sketch the elephant and the tree for your Gond painting from the master artist.

Colouring

The next step is to fill in the colors. Follow Venkat Shyam Ji as he combines many colors to create specific shades and fills them in.

Adding Details

In this module, learn how to add details to your painting and lose yourself in the soothing act of making Gond patterns!

Further Detailing

While guiding you through the addition of patterns in your Gond artwork, the artist narrates to you some of the community's history.

Adding Details to the Tree

Here, you shall learn different patterns which can be added to your Gond artworks while filling in trees and their leaves.

Final Details

In the last module of this course, you shall add the final detail, i.e., the dots, which are one of the most important motifs in Gond art!

Gond Painting Advanced Course

Introduction to Advanced Course

Welcome to the Advanced Course! Here, Venkat Shyam ji shall guide you through the story of creation in the Gond tradition and art form.

Sketching and Story

Follow the artist as he begins this complex composition with basic sketching; along with narrating the story of creation of the Gonds.

Colouring

Adding the appropriate base colours is essential in Gond paintings as they form the ground for the patterns that come on top.

Adding Details

In this module, follow the master artist as he begins to add the lined patterns to the artwork.

Further Detailing

Here, continue to add patterns to your work. The artist also explains the importance of the choice of colours and patterns used.

Final Details

In the last module of this course, you shall add the final detail, i.e., the dots, which are one of the most important motifs in Gond art!

Material Includes

Brushes (2)
Artventures of Gond - Art Kit by Rooftop (1)
Poster Colours (12)
Palette and water (1)

About Artist

Venkat Singh Shyam

Born in Sijhora village in the Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Venkat Raman Singh Shyam is a veteran Gond artist, who has been practising the fourteen-hundred-year-old art for the last four decades! Shri Venkat Raman Singh Shyam, before becoming the world-renowned Gond artist, used to work as a signboard painter in Bhopal to make ends meet. Inspired by the works of his uncle, Padma Shri Jangarh Singh Shyam ji, Venkat ji developed a strong affinity towards the artistic traditions of the Gond community. Realising his nephew's potential, Jangarh Singh Shyam ji motivated young Venkat ji to create more artworks, learn new styles, and develop unique concepts. Venkat Shyam ji started working with the Gond art form at the age of ten and has spent more than forty years today, perfecting the art and becoming one of India's leading contemporary artists. He has established his distinct style and patterns, which have strong meanings associated with them. His signature pattern - the dot and the surrounding semicircles - are symbolic of the supreme God, and the community that lives and flourishes due to the grace of the great deity. The other pattern of the artist is the longer wave design, which symbolises air, that can only be felt by us. Venkat ji paints and exhibits his Gond artworks with his wife, Saroj Shyam ji, a well-acclaimed artist. Today, they live in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. He is also credited with being the coordinator for the animated movie 'Gond Folktale' by Tara Douglas which won the 'Tallest Story Award' at the Inverness Film Festival of Scotland in 2007. Apart from this, Venkat Shyam has held multiple exhibitions all around the world. Major Awards: 1. Rajya Hasta Shilpa Puraskar by the Government of Madhya Pradesh in 2002 Selected Exhibitions and Featured Artworks: 1. Radford University Art Museum in Virginia, USA 2. Google Arts and Culture Gond Paintings: Venkat Raman Singh Shyam by Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art 3. Sakahan: International Indigenous Art at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa