The Art & Science Of Making a Deer.

The clay that is used for Deer making is usually extracted from river banks because of its fine quality. A lot of the clay is sourced from river Ganga. The main and the first step is to create a mould or a framework. This framework is made from green bamboo and the pedestals are made from local wood. The anatomy of  Deer is mostly created out of hay straw. The torso is created first and then legs are created and attached to the torso. Once the hay figure is in place, it is coated with first level of thin clay and put to dry. The clay eventually dries and cracks appear. Those cracks have to be then covered up by putting a layer of paat or raw jute. At least two layers of paint is added on the deer to give them a natural look. 

Deer is now painted with water colours and varnish is applied on nose, eyes and hoofs to give a glossy look. On an average, it takes 7 days to make a pair of traditional deer.

I use eco-friendly material, which would include water colour instead of synthetic colour, straw, bamboo and mud. 
 

Adding thin layer of clay to the torso.

Clay figure is created.

Minute details are added.

Eco friendly Deer is ready!