Journal | Tangem Art

What is kolam? A beginner’s introduction

Heritage · 5 min read · By the Tangem Art studio

Kolam is a traditional art of drawing patterns at the threshold of a home. Traditionally it is drawn early in the morning with rice flour or rice paste, and it is renewed every day. The practice is closely associated with Tamil Nadu and other parts of South India, and is known by different names in different regions.

Most kolam designs start with a grid of dots called pulli. The artist then draws lines that loop around these dots. In many designs, the line is continuous — it never breaks and returns to its starting point — which many people see as a symbol of endlessness and harmony.

Why kolam matters for artists

Kolam trains planning, symmetry and steady line work. Because the grid gives structure, it is also a very good way for beginners to start drawing. Many mathematicians have studied kolam for its patterns and rules.

In our Kolam & Geometric Pattern Design course we start with simple 3×3 grids and gradually build up to larger designs, first on paper and then digitally.

How digital art helps preserve traditional art

Studio notes · 4 min read · By the Tangem Art studio

Many traditional art forms are temporary by nature. A kolam disappears under footsteps by evening; festival decorations are removed after a few days. When a design is recorded digitally, it can be studied, shared, printed and taught long after the original has gone.

Digital tools also make it easier to understand structure. Guides, grids and symmetry tools let us see exactly how a traditional design is constructed — which makes it easier to teach.

Respect comes first

Digitising a tradition carries a responsibility to explain where it comes from. That is why each of our collections is introduced with notes on its origin, and why we always learn a form by hand before working on screen.

Choosing art for your space

Buying guide · 4 min read · By the Tangem Art studio

Choosing art is personal, but a few simple ideas help:

Start with the wall. Measure it. As a rough guide, artwork often looks balanced when it covers around two-thirds of the width of the furniture beneath it.
Pick a mood. Kolam and woven patterns feel lively and structured; River & Monsoon pieces are calmer; Temple Mandalas feel ceremonial.
Echo your colours. Choose a piece that repeats one or two colours already in the room.
Think in sets. Two or three works from the same collection can be hung together as a series.

If you are unsure, send us a photo of your space and we’ll suggest a few artworks.

Caring for fine-art prints

Care guide · 3 min read · By the Tangem Art studio

Fine-art prints last for many years with a little care:

Keep prints out of direct sunlight to reduce fading.
Avoid damp rooms, bathrooms and areas near cooking.
Frame behind glass or acrylic, ideally UV-protective, with acid-free mounts.
Handle unframed prints with clean, dry hands, holding the edges.
Store unframed prints flat, between acid-free sheets.

Getting started with digital drawing

Learning · 5 min read · By the Tangem Art studio

You do not need expensive equipment to begin. Many students start with a tablet or phone and a stylus, or a basic graphics tablet connected to a computer, together with free drawing software.

Five beginner habits

Use layers: keep sketch, line work and colour on separate layers.
Practise lines daily: straight lines, curves and circles for ten minutes.
Zoom out often to check the whole composition.
Save versions as you go.
Learn from tradition: copying a traditional pattern is an excellent exercise.

Our Foundations of Digital Art course covers all of this step by step.

Understanding art licences in plain words