[Sol Labos Brien]

Portraits on porcelain tiles are done with mineral colors in the form of extremely finely grinded powders / pigments that we mix with an oily medium. These particles of colors are applied in delicate washes and fuse with the glaze of the porcelain in the kiln at high temperature. These washes are spread out so thinly that they are almost transparent. It is by applying several coats on several fires that you can achieve the desired flesh tint. A first fire portrait might look sort of faded. You can see the pictures of some of the steps here attached. The drawing is transferred to the porcelain, it is the outmost importance that the first fire is painted correctly in the placing of the eyes, nose, mouth, ears as once fired it will be impossible to correct unlike oil painting. As long at the piece has not been fired, it can be wiped clean and restarted as many times as necessary.