Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about our handmade Pichwai, Shrinathji, Nathdwara, Miniature & Oil paintings — authenticity, custom commissions, shipping, payments and more.

No questions matched your search. Try a different keyword, or ask us directly on WhatsApp.

Top Questions

What is Rupasya?+

Rupasya is a social commerce platform based in Udaipur, Rajasthan, that connects master artisans from Nathdwara and Udaipur directly with collectors in India and around the world. We work without middlemen — every painting is 100% handmade using traditional techniques, natural stone pigments and, where applicable, real 24K gold leaf. Our mission is to preserve India's artistic heritage while helping artisans earn a fair, dignified living. Read our full story on the About page →

Are all Rupasya paintings handmade, or are some printed?+

Every single painting sold on Rupasya is 100% handmade by traditional artisans — we do not sell digital prints, canvas reproductions, or machine-made copies of any kind. If you ever spot a listing that seems unclear about this, please contact us and we'll clarify immediately.

Where are Rupasya's artisans based?+

Our artisans work from Nathdwara and Udaipur, Rajasthan — the historic birthplaces of the Pichwai, Shrinathji and Rajasthani Miniature painting traditions. Many come from artisan families that have practised these art forms for generations. Meet our artisans on the Artist Corner page →

Do Rupasya paintings come with a Certificate of Authenticity?+

Yes. Every original artwork ships with a signed Certificate of Authenticity naming the artist, the traditional materials and technique used, and the exact dimensions of your piece .

What painting categories does Rupasya offer?+

Our collection spans six traditions, plus custom services:

How much does a Rupasya painting cost?+

Prices vary by category, size and the amount of gold leaf detailing. Pichwai paintings start around Rs 6,700, Mughal Miniatures from Rs 5,500, oil paintings from Rs 13,600, and Nathdwara gold leaf pieces from around Rs 21,000. Custom commissions are quoted individually based on size and complexity — WhatsApp us for an exact quote.

Do you ship internationally?+

Yes, we ship worldwide, including to the US, UK, UAE, Australia, Canada and Singapore etc. See the Shipping & Delivery section below for how international orders are placed and paid for.

Buying & Authenticity

What is a Pichwai painting?+

Pichwai painting is a devotional art form over 400 years old, originating in Nathdwara, Rajasthan, as a large cloth backdrop hung behind the idol of Shrinathji. In 2022, Pichwai received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, officially recognising it as a traditional art form unique to Nathdwara. Explore our Pichwai collection →

What is the difference between a Pichwai and a Nathdwara painting?+

Pichwai paintings are large devotional cloth backdrops depicting scenes such as sacred cows, lotus motifs and festivals. Nathdwara paintings are a broader category that includes smaller, highly detailed works directly depicting the face or swaroop of Shrinathji, often embellished with 22K/24K gold leaf. All Pichwai art belongs to the Nathdwara tradition, but not all Nathdwara art is Pichwai.

What is a Shrinathji painting?+

A Shrinathji painting depicts Shrinathji — Lord Krishna as a seven-year-old child lifting Mount Govardhan — the central devotional image of the Nathdwara Pushtimarg tradition. Browse Shrinathji paintings →

What's the difference between Mughal and Rajasthani miniature painting?+

Mughal miniature painting developed in the imperial Mughal court and favours realism, fine portraiture and Persian-influenced composition, typically painted on antique old paper. Rajasthani miniature painting developed in the Hindu Rajput courts of Mewar and is more vibrant, symbolic and narrative, painted on traditional handmade Wasli paper.

What is Wasli paper?+

Wasli paper is a specially prepared handmade paper made by layering multiple sheets with starch paste and burnishing the surface with an agate stone until smooth and slightly luminous. This surface allows the finest single-hair brushstrokes used in Rajasthani miniature painting to adhere cleanly and remain crisp for centuries.

How can I tell a genuine handmade painting from a printed copy?+

A few things to look for on any handmade Indian painting:

  • Slightly uneven, organic brushwork rather than a uniform printed dot pattern
  • Visible cloth or paper texture showing through the pigment layers
  • Natural weight and hand-feel of the cloth or handmade paper
  • A signed Certificate of Authenticity naming the artist and materials
  • Minor colour variation between similar pieces — hand-painted originals are never pixel-identical

Every Rupasya painting satisfies all five, backed by a signed Certificate of Authenticity.

Are the product photos an accurate representation of what I'll receive?+

We photograph every piece carefully so colours and details are as accurate as possible. Because these are handmade using natural pigments, very slight variation in shade or fine detail between the photo and your delivered piece is normal and part of what makes it an original, not a reproduction.

How do I know if a painting is ready to ship or made to order?+

Each product page notes the stock status and expected processing time. Ready-to-ship pieces are dispatched within 3–7 working days; made-to-order pieces can take up to 14 days, and custom commissions follow the timeline shared at the time of quotation.

Custom Orders & Portraits

Can I commission a custom painting?+

Yes. Rupasya's artisans hand-paint custom Pichwai, Shrinathji, Nathdwara gold leaf, Mughal Miniature, Rajasthani Miniature and Vastu paintings — made to your preferred size, theme and finish. Start a custom commission → or message us directly on WhatsApp for a free quote within 24 hours.

Does Rupasya create custom portraits from a photo?+

Yes — unlike services that use a photo-filter or digital composite, our artists hand-paint your portrait from scratch. We offer royal & historical portraits, pet portraits, memorial portraits, wedding & couple portraits, family & baby portraits, and house portraits, on canvas or acrylic in any custom size. Upload your photo & get a quote →

How long does a custom commission take to complete?+

Typical timelines by category:

  • Pichwai / Shrinathji: 12–20 days
  • Nathdwara Gold Leaf: 15–21 days
  • Mughal / Rajasthani Miniature: 15–21 days
  • Vastu Paintings: 10–18 days

We share progress updates during the process, and let you know upfront if a piece needs extra time.

Can I request a specific size, deity swaroop or gold leaf finish?+

Yes — every custom painting is made to order. Tell us your preferred size, theme or Shrinathji swaroop, base material (cloth, canvas, paper or wood) and whether you'd like gold leaf detailing, and our artisans will paint it specifically for you. We confirm size, materials and pricing before starting work.

How is pricing determined for a custom or bespoke painting?+

Custom paintings are priced on the artist's workmanship and the time required — not a flat per-square-foot rate. A custom size requires the artist to rethink the entire composition rather than reuse an existing layout, which adds design time. Larger pieces, more intricate detailing, and gold leaf work all increase the price. We share a firm quote before any work begins.

Mural Art Services

Do you paint wall or ceiling murals for commercial spaces?+

Yes. We provide on-site wall and ceiling mural art services for hotels, resorts, airports, malls, restaurants, cafés, corporate offices and showrooms across India — every mural is 100% hand-painted, never printed, vinyl or wallpaper. See our mural services →

Can you paint a mural for a home or luxury villa?+

Yes. We paint bespoke murals for luxury villas, premium homes, farmhouses, pooja rooms and feature walls, in Rajasthani miniature, Pichwai, Nathdwara gold leaf, Madhubani, Warli or contemporary Indian styles.

How is a mural project quoted?+

Pricing depends on wall/ceiling area, design complexity, number of colours, gold leaf use and artisan travel. Share your venue type, location and approximate dimensions on WhatsApp for a detailed, itemised quote after an initial consultation.

Shipping & Delivery

Is shipping free within India?+

Yes, we offer free shipping across India on standard orders. Framed Shrinathji or Nathdwara paintings carry a flat ₹2,000 shipping charge, since these pieces require protective steel-container packaging to travel safely. See our Shipping Policy for full details.

Do you ship internationally, and how do I pay for an international order?+

Yes, we ship worldwide with archival-safe, export-grade packaging. Rupasya does not run an online payment gateway for orders shipping outside India — at checkout, you'll choose either "Chat on WhatsApp" (we open WhatsApp with your order pre-filled so our team can confirm shipping cost and payment) or "Submit an Enquiry" (your order details are emailed to our team, who follow up directly). See our full International Shipping Guide.

How long does delivery take?+

Within India, delivery typically takes 2–7 business days after dispatch. International orders generally take 4–15 business days depending on destination, courier (India Post or DHL Express) and customs clearance.

Are customs duties included in the price?+

No. Import duties, VAT and any other charges levied by your destination country are set by that country's customs authority, are not included in what you pay us, and are payable directly by you if requested by the courier or local customs.

How are fragile or framed paintings packaged?+

We use multi-layer bubble wrap, foam cushioning, corner protectors and sturdy export-grade cartons or tubes for rolled pieces. Framed Shrinathji/Nathdwara paintings and other fragile or large-format works may be packed in protective wooden or steel crates, with fumigation certification where required.

Can I track my order?+

Yes — visit our Track Order page and enter your Order ID and billing email. You'll also receive a tracking link by email and WhatsApp once your order ships.

Payments

What payment methods do you accept for orders within India?+

For India, we accept UPI, cards and net banking via PayU, as well as PhonePe.

Do you accept online card or PayPal payments for international orders?+

Yes — we accepted

Is my payment information secure?+

Yes. All Indian payments are processed through PayU and PhonePe's secure, encrypted gateways. We never store your full card, UPI or banking details on our servers.

Returns & Order Support

Can I return or get a refund on my painting?+

Returns are accepted only for products that are damaged in transit, defective, or incorrect, and must be requested within 7 days of delivery with the item unused and in original packaging. Custom-made and commissioned paintings are not eligible for return except in cases of transit damage. See our full Return & Refund Policy.

What if my order arrives damaged?+

Contact us within 48 hours with a clear unboxing video and photos of both the outer packaging and the damage. We'll review the case and arrange a repair, replacement, or refund as appropriate.

Can I cancel my order?+

Orders can be cancelled within 6 hours of placing them. Once an order has shipped, it can no longer be cancelled.

How can I contact Rupasya's support team?+

WhatsApp us at +91 70731 09753, email contact@rupasya.com, or use our Contact page. We're available Monday–Saturday, 10:00 AM–7:00 PM.

Artisans & Heritage

Who actually makes the paintings?+

Every painting is made by named master artisans from Nathdwara and Udaipur, many from families that have practised their craft for generations. Meet our artisans →

How does buying from Rupasya support artisans?+

We work directly with artisan families — with no middlemen — so more of every sale reaches the person who painted it. This supports fair, sustainable income and helps keep traditional Indian art forms alive for the next generation. Read more about our mission →

What materials are used, and are they natural?+

Our artisans use natural stone pigments (lapis lazuli, malachite, ochre and more), squirrel-hair brushes for fine detailing, handmade cloth, paper or Wasli surfaces, and genuine 22K/24K gold leaf where applicable — never synthetic paint or gold-coloured foil substitutes.

Is Pichwai a GI-tagged art form?+

Yes. Pichwai painting received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2022, officially recognising it as a traditional art form uniquely originating from Nathdwara, Rajasthan.

Still Have a Question?

Our team is happy to help you choose the right piece, get a custom quote, or track your order.