Ceramic / Bone China Painting

 

Ceramic Painting

 

The Medium:

Bone China Plaques – Why so unique!
True Bone China/Porcelain plaques have never been produced in great numbers over the centuries. Research shows that these plaques are rare and are highly sought after.
The main reason for this rarity is due to the high loss rate of up to 80% when firing occurs. The rectangular clay plaques first biscuit firing shows little damage. The risk can occur in the consequent biscuit, glost and numerous decorating firings. The firing changes the molecular structure of the clay and stresses occur in the plaque. This then can cause cracking, warping and general weaknesses in the structure.
It takes a great level of knowledge and skill to produce high quality bone china and porcelain paintings using the traditional decorating techniques. Nicola has had the privilege of learning these skills from a true master ceramic painter.

 The Finished Piece:

Nicola’s ceramic paintings can have up to fifteen firings in order to build up and lock in the glaze colours. There is a risk of loss/damage on each of these firing which make this work incredibly uncertain but amazingly fulfilling when you see the finished piece. The deep rich colours are unified and become one with the ceramic body, leaving a long lasting luxurious glossy  finish.
“You could put a piece in the ground for hundreds of years and it will look just the same when someone digs it up,” Nicola says.

 A Dying Art:

Nicola is believed to be one of the only modern day ceramic artist using the true traditional china painting techniques that have been passed down to her from her father Rick Lewis. Rick was the apprentice of the master ceramic painter Harry Davis at Royal Worcester (1965-69), then created his own ceramic Company Hereford Fine China.

(source)