This distinct form of painting evolved from the paintings of the Vijayanagar Empire (1336-1565 AD). Over the years, they kept absorbing the local artistic traditions and customs and the Vijayanagar School of Painting gradually evolved into many styles of painting in South India, including the Mysore and Tanjore schools of painting. After the death of Tipu Sultan 1799 AD, the state was restored back to the Wodeyars of Mysore who helped in ushering a new era by reviving the ancient traditions of Mysore by extending their patronage. Most of the traditional Mysore Paintings that have survived until today belong to this reign.

Mysore paintings are known for their elegance, muted colours, bright gold, and attention to detail. The themes for most of these paintings are Hindu gods and goddesses and scenes from Hindu mythology. There are many portraits of the Mysore rulers, important people of those times and self portraits of the artists themselves done in this style under the ruler’s request.

The ancient painters prepared their own materials. The drawings were sketched using straight burnt twigs of the tamarind tree. The colours were sourced from vegetable, mineral and organic origins such as leaves, stones and flowers. For example the green colour is made from lemon juice. The juice is first squeezed from lemons, strained and kept in Copper Pots. These pots are then buried in the ground for a few days. This allows the lemon juice to turn into their characteristic green colour.

Traditionally Gold dust or bhasma was used for the jewellery. The gold foil is also used sometimes. This is very thin and delicate. The brushes for this painting were made with squirrel hairs for delicate work. Superfine lines were drawn using a brush made of pointed blades from a special variety of grass. Due to the long-lasting quality of the earth and vegetable colours, the original Mysore paintings still retain their freshness and lustre even today.

The base of the painting is done on board, paper or cloth. The Gesso work used in Mysore paintings is a paste mixture of lead, gumbose and glue. The relief work is low with more intricate details then its counterpart the Tanjore Paintings. The painting is done following a particular order of steps. Once the painting is dry, the glazing is done by covering the painting with a thin layer of paper. Later this is rubbed over using a soft glazing stone called as Kaslupada Kallu. When the thin paper is removed this way, the painting shines brightly with beautiful colours and gold work.