Later the artists were compelled to make innovations due to the scarcity of these colors. Thus the usage of waterproof earthen colors evolved. These colors are made by pounding the natural earthen colors with gum, water and indigo. The painting commences with great flourish on the appointed auspicious day, when the Bhopas arrive. A free hand sketch is then made on the canvas, where various postures of human and animal figures are perfected.
Floral trees adorn the piece filling up the empty spaces.
The figures are the painted in a light yellow color initially. The first stroke of color is always made by a virgin from the artist's family or from another family of high caste. The artist uses only one color at a time, filling it in wherever required. Orange is used for limbs and torso, yellow for ornaments, clothing and designs, gray for structure, blue for water and curtains, green for trees and vegetation and red, prominently for dress. The subtle black outline that brings the linear expressions alive is the syahi.