Painting Basics

You will want to collect some of the basic tools and equipment you will require for the painting of your piece.  We always keep a cup of clean water and paper on each table.

Bisque Preparation

Before you paint the bisque we suggest that you clean it using a clean sponge dipped in the clean water to remove any dust and impurities that might be on the surface.  The piece does not need to be fully dry when you begin painting unless you are going to use one of the masking techniques.  Masking will not adhere to the bisque unless it is completely dry.

Your Palette

You will want to determine the underglaze colors you wish to use.  The best way to do this is to get a palette and take it to the color board and write the color numbers on the palette.  This will make it easy for you to replenish underglaze later since the colors can often look very similar.  We suggest placing a small amount of underglaze on the palette - about the size of a quarter coin - to start.

You will want to select brushes based on the painting techniques you plan to use.  Before you use the brush you should get the bristles completely wet so they are clean and ready to accept paint.  Before dipping the wet brush into the desired underglaze you should remove excess moisture on a clean sponge, paper towel or the clean paper on the table.

Removing Underglaze

Should you have underglaze on the piece that you do not wish to keep it is easy to remove.  Just dip a clean brush into the clean water, remove the excess and use the brush on the piece to remove the underglaze.