AJANTA CAVE PAINTINGS
the many-splendoured delights of Ajanta compiled by Subramanian Swaminathan
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Producing Depth & Relief 

From very early times, Indian artists have been using a variety of techniques to produce an illusion of the third dimension. 
 
Perspective 
An example of expert rendering in perspective. 
 
A monastery,  Shibi Jataka,  Cave 17
 
 
Multiple Vision 
A technique of painting scenes from different angles and merging them, similar to the modern technique called Multiple Vision. 
 
Details of the farthest pavilion
would be lost in normal perspective
Three separate shots dissolved
to show action in all the pavilions
 
Lustration & Renunciation, Cave 1
Kshaya vriddhi, (‘loss-and-gain’), Fore-shortening
A ceiling painting, Cave 1
 
 
Using Colours 
Main techniques 
animnonnata  - flat style 
nimnonnata  - relief by shading. 

Animnonnata 
A flat style that uses dark colours for the subjects in the foreground against a background of lighter shades, or vice versa. 
 

Animnonnata
 
Nimnonnata 
Vartana 
Shading techniques choosing judiciously tones and colours. 

Ujjotana 
Adding highlights. 
 

Nimnonnata - Vartana
Nimnonnata - Ujjotana
 
Vartana 
A high-relief technique to produce an illusion of the third dimension.  There are three main variations. 

Patraja  - (‘shading-like-the-lines-of-a-leaf’) 
Illusion of depth is achieved by drawing lines to follow contour of the body. 

Binduja  - (dot and stipple method) 
Illusion of depth is achieved by painting dots with variations in concentration of dots. 

Airika  - (a wash technique) 
Illusion of depth is achieved by executing tonal variation and avoiding hard-lines 

Ujjotana  - (adding highlights) 
Highlights in the form of white patches added on the cheeks, the chin, the nose, etc to get a three-dimensional effect. 

Chaya-tapa  - (‘shade-and-shine’) 
This produces a chiaroscuro effect. 

Use of Blue Colour (Lapis Lazuli) 
In the later period lapis lazuli, a blue, imported mineral came to be used as an effective medium for creating visual depth,contrasting with warm red and brown tones. 
 

Patraja - A ceiling painting, Cave 1
Binduja - A ceiling painting, Cave 2
 
Airika - Children playing with a Hen, Cave 2
Ujjotana - A woman in a palace scene, Cave 1
 
Chaya-tapa - Bodhisattva Padmapani, Cave 1
Use of Blue Colour - Simhala Avadana, Cave 17
 
 
 
 
 
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