REVIEW · PUSHKAR
Dhiraj’s painting classes and art workshop
Book on Viator →Operated by Shiv Shakti Art & Handicraft · Bookable on Viator
A painting class in Pushkar can feel surprisingly personal. This one lets you choose your subject and technique, and it even offers options tied to meditation, yoga, and tantra themes. I like the variety of styles you can select, and I like the patient, professional teaching style that helps you get your drawing right.
One thing to consider: the experience depends on good weather, since the setup may be outdoors and poor conditions can lead to a change in plans.
In This Review
- Key highlights you’ll care about
- Why a Pushkar Painting Class Works Better Than a Generic Souvenir
- Picking Your Style: From Watercolor to Tantra Painting
- Shiv Shakti Art & Handicraft: Location, Timing, and Getting There
- What Actually Happens During the Hour
- The Techniques That Matter: Pencil, Charcoal, Watercolor, Acrylic, and Oil
- Art on a Spiritual Theme: Yoga, Meditation, and Tantra Stories
- Shiv Shakti’s Gallery Stop: Ideas You Can Actually Use
- Price and Value: Is $28 for an Hour Fair?
- Who This Art Workshop Fits Best (and Who Might Skip It)
- Should You Book Dhiraj’s Painting Class in Pushkar?
- FAQ
- Where is the painting class meeting point?
- How long is Dhiraj’s painting class?
- What does it cost?
- Is pickup offered?
- Do I need any previous art experience?
- What types of painting can I choose from?
- Is this activity private?
- What happens if weather is bad?
Key highlights you’ll care about

- Pick your painting type: pencil, charcoal, miniatures, acrylic, oil, watercolor, traditional, modern, tantra, or your own idea
- Designed for all levels: beginners and more experienced learners both fit in
- Patient guidance: Dhiraj helps you refine your drawing so you end up with something you can feel good about
- Street-area atmosphere: you may be seated outside and working in the rhythm of Pushkar
- You can browse a gallery: see art for ideas and possibly buy pieces
Why a Pushkar Painting Class Works Better Than a Generic Souvenir

A lot of art experiences in tourist areas feel like a souvenir factory. This one doesn’t. You’re not just making something pretty and moving on. You’re learning a technique and shaping the artwork around your own interests.
Pushkar adds its own texture. You’re in a place where people talk about spirituality in everyday ways, and art can reflect that. That’s why the class stands apart: it doesn’t force one single theme. If you want a straightforward visual subject, you can choose that. If you want a spiritual thread, there are options linked to meditation and yoga art.
I also like the pacing. The session is about an hour, so it’s easy to fit into a busy Pushkar day. At the same time, it’s long enough for real instruction, not just a quick demo. If you’ve been meaning to try watercolor or you’re curious about acrylic or oil, this format gives you a focused start without committing to a multi-day course.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Pushkar.
Picking Your Style: From Watercolor to Tantra Painting

Here’s the menu of options you can choose from: pencil drawing, charcoal drawing, miniature paintings, acrylic, oil, watercolor, traditional painting, modern art, tantra painting, and paintings based on your own idea. That matters more than it sounds, because your odds of enjoying the class go up when you control the direction.
If you’re a total beginner, watercolor and pencil often feel the most approachable. If you already draw, you can lean into charcoal, oil, or acrylic depending on the feel you want. If you want something more conceptual, tantra painting and meditation/yoga-themed classes give your practice a meaning beyond the page.
You’ll also notice an extra layer in the way the class is framed. You’re not only learning how to paint. You’re also expanding your understanding of tantra, yoga, and meditation art, plus getting spiritual stories you can use as creative fuel. Even if you don’t aim for a spiritual theme, that context can help you choose subjects with confidence.
Shiv Shakti Art & Handicraft: Location, Timing, and Getting There
The class meets at Shiv Shakti Art & Handicraft at Bharma Chowk, below Alka Guest House, in Badi Basti, Pushkar (Rajasthan). The hours run 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, daily.
In practice, that wide window is helpful. You can usually find a time that doesn’t wreck your schedule. The class itself is listed at about 1 hour, with a minimum time spent of 1 hour.
Pickup is offered, which is a genuine quality-of-life upgrade in Pushkar. If you’re not in the mood to navigate on foot with supplies and uncertainty, pickup helps you arrive calm and ready. The meeting point is also near public transportation, so you’re not trapped if pickup isn’t the best option for your day.
This is a private tour/activity, meaning it’s just your group (not a mixed crowd). That usually translates into more attention from Dhiraj and fewer interruptions while you’re figuring out materials and technique.
What Actually Happens During the Hour
The class structure is built around choice first. You show up and decide what kind of painting you want to work on—based on your interests and your comfort level. Then Dhiraj guides you through the process so you’re not stuck copying a cookie-cutter template.
Expect a mix of explanation and hands-on support. The standout theme here is patience. Dhiraj is described as calm and professional, and he helps you get the drawing right. That kind of guidance matters because most people fail art classes for one reason: they don’t know how to correct their mistakes in the moment. When the teacher can slow down and explain, your progress becomes real, not frustrating.
You’ll also have room to ask questions and talk about styles and techniques. That may sound basic, but it’s often the difference between finishing something that looks decent versus finishing something you actually understand. You can also choose materials like watercolor (if that’s your pick), and the guidance is meant to lead you toward a result that feels successful.
By the end, you’ll leave with a finished piece and notes/lessons you can carry forward. Even if you don’t become the next Picasso, you’ll walk away knowing what to do differently next time.
The Techniques That Matter: Pencil, Charcoal, Watercolor, Acrylic, and Oil

Let’s make the technique list practical. Different mediums behave differently, and the teacher’s job is to help you use that behavior instead of fighting it.
- Pencil drawing is great if you want control and a clean start. It’s also a nice bridge into watercolor or acrylic later.
- Charcoal drawing can give you strong contrast quickly. It’s ideal if you like bold shadows and sketchy drama.
- Watercolor is often the first choice for beginners, because it encourages learning through trial and correction. If you want that soft, light-filled look, this class is built for it.
- Acrylic works well if you want color that dries faster and can handle layering.
- Oil gives a slower, richer working style, but it usually feels more technical. Having guidance helps a lot here.
- Miniature paintings and traditional or modern options are for you if you like detail and style-focused practice.
Across all of these, the teaching approach is the common factor: you choose the path, and Dhiraj helps you shape it. That’s why people say the results can look amazing with just a bit of help.
If you’re worried about supplies or materials, the class framing suggests you can choose your technique and work within that setup. You’ll get direction so you’re not guessing what to buy later.
Art on a Spiritual Theme: Yoga, Meditation, and Tantra Stories
One of the more unique angles here is the option to connect painting with meditation and yoga. There are special classes tied to meditation and yoga, and you can also choose tantra painting.
What does that mean in real terms? You’re not just copying a symbol for the sake of decoration. The class is also described as helping you understand tantra, yoga, and meditation art, along with spiritual stories you can use as inspiration.
Even if you’re not trying to paint something spiritual, this context can still guide your creative decisions. You might find yourself more thoughtful about subject matter, composition, or symbolism. And if Pushkar is already part of your spiritual itinerary, the class becomes a way to turn that mood into something tangible.
Shiv Shakti’s Gallery Stop: Ideas You Can Actually Use
There’s a gallery with many different kinds of paintings that you can browse. This part is useful in two ways.
First, it gives you a reference point. When you’re deciding what to paint, seeing options helps you pick something that fits your skill level and your taste. Second, it can inspire your final idea if you choose paintings based on your own concept.
If you end up liking what you see, there’s also the possibility of buying paintings. Even if you don’t, the browsing can make the class feel less like a blank page and more like a creative conversation with what’s already been made in Pushkar.
Price and Value: Is $28 for an Hour Fair?
The price is $28, listed as per hour, with about 1 hour duration. That might sound modest, but value isn’t only about the clock. You’re paying for real instruction, choice of technique, and a calm, patient teacher who helps you correct your drawing.
A big value lever here is the class being private. If you’re with a friend or partner, you still keep that one-group setup rather than sharing attention with strangers. If you’re solo, you’ll likely get even more direct guidance.
Also, pickup being offered can raise the value for your day. Not everyone wants to spend time figuring out local routes when they’re trying to stay relaxed and enjoy Pushkar.
If you want a quick artistic souvenir, skip. If you want to learn a skill and leave with a piece you made with guidance, $28 for a focused hour is a fair trade.
Who This Art Workshop Fits Best (and Who Might Skip It)
This painting workshop fits best if you:
- Want a hands-on class without a huge time commitment
- Like the idea of choosing your medium—especially watercolor if that’s your target
- Prefer patient instruction over sink-or-swim teaching
- Are okay with the experience being outdoors at times, depending on conditions
- Enjoy cultural themes and might be interested in meditation/yoga/tantra-themed art
You might skip it if:
- You’re only looking for a passive activity with zero learning
- You strongly dislike weather-dependent plans (the experience needs good weather)
- You want a long multi-day course with deep progression and lots of repeat practice
Should You Book Dhiraj’s Painting Class in Pushkar?
If you’re in Pushkar with even a small interest in art, I’d book it. The combination of choice, patient teaching, and a private, about-one-hour format makes it easy to say yes to. It’s especially a good fit if you want watercolor or you’re not confident in your drawing yet.
Make your decision based on two things: your comfort with weather and your willingness to try a medium you might not have used before. If you’re open to that, you’ll walk away with a real creative win—plus a Pushkar memory that isn’t just a photo.
FAQ
Where is the painting class meeting point?
It starts at Shiv Shakti Art & Handicraft at Bharma Chowk, below Alka Guest House, Badi Basti, Pushkar, Rajasthan 305022, India.
How long is Dhiraj’s painting class?
The duration is approximately 1 hour, with a minimum time spent of 1 hour.
What does it cost?
The price is $28 per hour.
Is pickup offered?
Yes, pickup is offered.
Do I need any previous art experience?
No. The program is open to people at any level, including beginners and more advanced learners.
What types of painting can I choose from?
You can choose from pencil drawing, charcoal drawing, miniature paintings, acrylic, oil, watercolor, traditional painting, modern art, tantra painting, or a painting based on your own idea.
Is this activity private?
Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group will participate.
What happens if weather is bad?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.









