Hand-decorating porcelain with paint, gold and platinum

Practical information

• Duration: 2 days (8 hours in total)
• Group size: 7–12 participants
• Location: Katowice, Poland
• Instructor: porcelain decoration technology specialist
• Level: beginner to intermediate

Organiser

Studio Ceramika – ON FORM Sp. z o.o.
ul. Plebiscytowa 28, 40-036 Katowice, Poland

Day 1 – theory (4 hours)

1. Introduction to porcelain decoration technology

• Properties of ceramic paints, gold and platinum
• Differences between underglaze and onglaze decoration
• Firing process and how temperature affects colours and metals

2. Hand techniques – brush painting

• Types of brushes for ceramics
• Line work, shading, dry-brush effects
• How ceramic paints behave during application and firing

3. Spray technique (airbrush)

• Types of airbrushes (single-action, double-action)
• Compressor – working pressure and spray control
• Paint preparation: viscosity, filtering, thinning
• Shading, gradients and soft mist effects

4. Stamping technique

• Stamp types: rubber, silicone, acrylic, engraved
• Application: thick, semi-fluid and dry paint
• Pattern repeat and modular work

5. Preparing ceramic paints

• Binders, media and thinners – differences and uses
• Ratios of paint / medium / thinner
• Filtering paint (120–180 mesh)
• Storage and basic safety rules

6. Preparing gold and platinum

• Liquid, powder and matte gold – differences
• Platinum – working properties and carriers
• Preparing metals for brush, stamp and spray
• Common issues: dulling, blistering, runs

Day 2 – practice (4 hours)

1. Working with ceramic paints

• Preparing paints for different techniques
• Hands-on exercises:
  • linear painting (liner)
  • classic shading
  • scratches (sgraffito-style) and gradation
  • work on flat and curved surfaces

2. Decoration with stamps

• Building modules and repeating patterns
• Single-colour and combined impressions
• Limitations of the technique and working with heavier paints

3. Spraying ceramic paints (airbrush)

• Airbrush setup and paint viscosity test
• Mist, gradient, contrast
• Masks and stencils – precision work
• Special effects: halos, highlights, soft edges

4. Working with gold and platinum

• Brush painting – lines, cover coats, matte and gloss
• Stamping with gold – minimising material waste
• Metal spray (for advanced groups)
• Preparing pieces for firing

5. Preparing work for firing

• Drying paints and metals
• Cleaning edges and degreasing
• Firing curve and kiln preparation

6. Summary and individual consultation

• Review of completed work
• Discussion of mistakes and possible corrections
• Collection of fired work (approx. 7 days)

Contact

Piotr Grzymowski
Tel. +48 605 608 575

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