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With rising awareness about Indian traditional, folk and tribal art paintings, and the trend of displaying them in your spaces at a high, everyone, especially art lovers can feel tempted to own traditional Indian art pieces to adorn their surroundings. But how does one pick which artwork to buy? Standing in front of a gallery wall or scrolling through a website full of beautiful, colorful artworks can feel overwhelming, but choosing your first traditional artwork doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Whether it’s a Warli painting, a vibrant Bhil motif or a Madhubani scene, picking the right piece can be fun, memorable, quick and personal.
This blog is meant to help you to select your first artwork in just 10 minutes and fall in love with your choice!
Step 1 : Understanding traditional art
Traditional Indian art isn’t just meant or created for decoration. Each artform represents the community behind it, used as a medium for the artists to share their stories with the world, one brushstroke at a time!
Check out our blog posts to know more about traditional Indian art
Step 2 : Know your space
Before you fall in love with an artwork, think about the space you mean to put it up in. While a smaller piece would pop up in cozy corners, a larger artwork can become a statement centerpiece. Think about the vibe of your room - whether it’s a living room, a pooja room, a bright and colorful kids’ room or a cozy bedroom, imagine what would suit best in your environment. Use the Augmented Reality or AR view when shopping online, making it easier for you to visualise the artwork in your space.
Ganesha: Kalamkari painting by Harinath.N
For example, something like a Pichwai painting would be more suitable for a pooja room backdrop, a Rogan art Tree of Life, if placed on the wall behind a sofa, can uplift your living room space, and a miniature painting can adorn your bedroom wall!
Shrinathji in Kamal Talai Pichwai by Shehzaad Ali Sherani
Tree of Life Rogan Art by Rizwan Khatri
Flight of Colors: A Mughal Miniature of Hummingbirds and Floral Beauty by Mohan Prajapati
Step 3: Pick a theme or story
Traditional art is about stories and symbols. Choosing a theme that resonates personally with you makes your first purchase feel special. If you love nature and animals, go for Gond art with floral, bird or animal motifs.
Nature's Spectacles in Gond by Gareeba Singh Tekam
If you’re interested in mythology, explore Pattachitra or Tanjore paintings depicting gods, goddesses or local legends.
Ashtalakshmi: Ethereal Prosperity In Odisha Pattachitra by Gitanjali Das
The Divine Pair: Lord Venkateswara and Goddess Padmavati in Tanjore Art by Sanjay Tandekar
If you’re looking for something vibrant and lively, you could check out Madhubani or Warli artworks with festivals, village life or folk dances.
Vat Purnima in Madhubani By Ambika Devi
Tribal Celebration, Warli Art by Dilip Bahotha
Understand the story behind the artwork and connect it to your personality or the vibe you are looking to be around. For example, fish motifs represent abundance and prosperity, while felines represent intuition, mystery, curiosity, playfulness, independence and freedom.
Tiger in Gond by Kailash Pradhan
Step 4: Consider colours and mood
Colors in traditional art aren’t just decorative, they set the tone, evoke emotions and create energy in a space. The palette you choose can affect how a room feels and how the artwork interacts with its surroundings. Warm colors like reds, oranges and yellows bring energy, warmth and vibrancy, while blues, greens and muted tones evoke calmness, serenity and balance.
In many traditional motifs, colors also carry cultural significance. For example, red in paintings often symbolises festivity or fertility, while green represents life and nature. When selecting your first piece, consider how the colors will complement or contrast with your room. Vibrant art can liven up a neutral space, while subtler pieces can calm a busy environment. Choose a piece that breathes life into your space!
Beauty, Kerala Mural Painting by Jijulal
Tigers in Kalighat by Sonali Chitrakar
Step 5: Size & Framing
When it comes to any artwork, size and framing play a crucial role in how the piece interacts with your space. A small painting can work beautifully in a cozy corner, adding charm without overwhelming the room, while a larger piece can become a striking focal point that immediately draws the eye. Contemplate on whether you want a single statement piece or a collection of smaller works that tell a story together, possibly in a gallery wall setup. Framing is another element to think about. A frame can elevate the artwork, giving it a polished look, while leaving it unframed preserves the handcrafted authenticity that is central to many traditional pieces. Quick visualisation helps, by measuring your wall, imagining the piece in that spot and considering the scale in relation to furniture and other decor, you can ensure that your artwork feels balanced and perfectly placed in your home.
Wall Photo Frame in Tarkashi by Mohan Lal Sharma
Step 6 : Trust Your Instinct
At the heart of selecting your first traditional artwork is a very simple principle that is often overlooked - trust your instinct. Your first reaction to a piece, whether it makes you smile, feel curious or simply draws your attention, is often the most important guide. Don’t get influenced by trends, expert opinions or what’s popular. The best artwork for your space is the one that speaks to you personally. Traditional art is deeply expressive, often conveying stories, emotions or cultural symbols, and connecting with it on an intuitive level ensures a lasting bond. Take a moment to feel the piece, and observe if it resonates, excites or comforts you. If it does, it’s likely the right choice. Your instinct is your compass, guiding you to a piece that will not only enhance your space but also become a reflection of your taste, personality and the story you want your home to tell.
Bonus Tip: Start Small
When it comes to building your art collection, it’s always wiser and easier to start small. Your first piece doesn’t need to be grand or overwhelming, even a single painting can transform a space and spark inspiration. Starting with one carefully chosen artwork allows you to experience how traditional art interacts with your space, how it influences mood and how it resonates with your personal taste. Over time, you can gradually expand your collection, adding more pieces that tell a story or complement the first. Check out our curated selections to make this process simple and enjoyable, by browsing through handcrafted pieces that are rich in color, culture and narrative. By beginning small, you ensure that every addition to your space feels deliberate, meaningful and true to your style.
Friends of Marine Life: Fish in Gond by Kailash Pradhan
Ready to find your first masterpiece? Explore our online gallery and discover a vibrant collection of traditional artworks that speak to your heart. Whether it’s a vibrant Madhubani or a monochrome Gond piece, or any traditional, folk or tribal artwork, you can browse to your heart’s content, visualize it in your space using AR and bring home a piece of handcrafted art with confidence. Don’t wait, your first artwork is just a few clicks away, waiting to transform your wall and heart into a canvas of culture, color and story.
By knowing your space, selecting a theme, considering colors and mood, checking size and framing, trusting your instinct and starting small, you can find a piece that truly speaks to you. In just 10 minutes, you can make a decision that not only beautifies your home but also connects you to generations of artistry and culture. Embrace the joy of owning traditional art, let your instincts guide you and start your journey into the vibrant, handcrafted world of Indian traditional art with us today!
