The black color is prepared from charcoal powder. For white, the artists use sea shells which are available in plenty on the sea shores of Orissa, the home of pata paintings. The sea-shells are powdered and the powder is kept mixed with some water for two days. The mixture is stirred properly until it becomes soft and milky. The paste thus prepared is then dried in the sun to form a solid substance.
Black color is prepared by holding an earthen plate over the smoke of a burning wick.
The soot thus collected at the bottom of the plate is thickened to a black substance. This is mixed with the gum of Kaitha fruit when used as black color in painting. Green color typically is prepared from the juice of green leaves which is boiled and gum is mixed in the same proportion. The materials used by these artists are totally of an indigenous character. To unite the colors they utilise wooden bowls made of dried coconut shells.