For porcelain painting glazed porcelain, bone-china, earthenware and tiles can be used. This is called the over-glaze technique. If you want to paint on porcelain you will start looking for a design that will fit with the shape or function of the porcelain object. The design will ‘specify’ the method of painting. White porcelain is sold in all kinds of shapes and sizes so it is possible to make your own tea-set. For a beginner it is recommended to ask a skilled painter if it is possible to paint and fire a certain object.

The number of available colours that can be used (also silver and gold) is large. The colour powders are mixed with oil but water is also possible. There are oils for specific techniques. With some oils even small and fine details can be made.

Even drawing with a pen is possible. Other oils give a soft look which resembles water colour painting. After painting the porcelain is fired in an oven (called a kiln) on a temperature of 720-800 degrees. The temperature depends on the chosen technique.

Porcelain painting is sometimes mixed up with Delft Blue painting. For Delft Blue painting under-glaze earthenware is used. Only after the painting the object is glazed. The glaze covers the paint and that is why it is called under-glaze. This technique requires a fire temperature of about 1060 degrees. This is why the number of colours is restricted.

Next to patience and love for this fine form of art a certain amount of artistic feeling is required. But without it nice results are possible. It is recommended to start painting with a skilled instructor. In the Netherlands there are teachers in a lot of areas. The teachers can explain the materials, the painting techniques and often the objects can be fired in a kiln by the teacher. Than the purchase of a kiln is not directly necessary for a beginner.