Palm leaf painting or etching involves a few intricate steps:
• Rows of same sized palm leaves are first arranged together and sewn.
• These neatly sewn palm leaves are then folded in such a way so as to make a pile.
• These paintings are first etched out, which means that the designs and images are neatly etched on the surface of the palm leaf using a sharp pen like object. .
• Ink (or a concoction of charcoal of burnt coconut shells, turmeric and oil) is then poured along the lines; the lines are now defined.
• Vegetable dyes are also added to give these paintings some color, but these paintings are mostly, dichromatic (black and white).
• The panels of the paintings are unfolded like a fan to reveal a beautiful patta chitra.