Porcelain painting originated in China in the 1400s, but mass-produced dinnerware, vases and trinket boxes have virtually snuffed out the demand for hand-painted porcelain. My first impression was that porcelain painting was for hobbyists. This impression changed dramatically when I met Lorraine Corey, a Redding porcelain painter. When I arrived at her immaculate home studio, I was greeted at the door by her adorable long-hair dachshund, Teddi.
Lorraine has painted on porcelain since 1984 but has been studying art her entire life. She is also skilled in watercolor and oil painting. After spending some time perusing her work and talking about the process, I realized that porcelain painting is not for the occasional painter. Porcelain painting takes a steady hand, a trained eye, skill and patience. It is true that anyone can learn the art, but it takes time to become a master.
First, the powder pigment is mixed with oil, which allows the paint to adhere to the fired and glazed porcelain. Once the colors are mixed, the first layer of paint is applied. The piece is then fired in a kiln at temperatures between 2192 and 2552 degrees. After the piece has thoroughly cooled, the artist lightly buffs it and then applies another layer of paint. The artist will repeat the process over and over until the piece is completed, an average of five to seven times. When finished, you have a vibrant, perfectly smooth surface that is ready to enjoy generation after generation.
In these days of experimental art, you never know how long a piece of art will last. This is not true of porcelain art. You could find a piece that was painted centuries ago that will hold the same vibrancy as when it was first created, which is great news for collectors.
How do you know you have a hand-painted piece of porcelain? The surface of a hand-painted piece is very smooth. If the piece has a visible raised edge, around the decorative part, it is likely mass-produced.
Lorraine teaches porcelain painting from her home studio in Redding, CA. For more information about porcelain-painting classes, call (530) 221-3038 or email lorrainecorey@att.net. To find out about Lorraine’s classes or other art classes for children and adults in the North State, download Artazine, a complete resource for art instruction, or visit artazine.org.
Raette Meredith is a mother of three, artist, website developer and Americorps Vista volunteer for the Shasta County Arts Council. She conceptualized and developed Artazine and Artazine.org, an extensive directory of art classes in the North State.
