https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/folk-art-bowls • Posted by GMC Group
This is a satisfying and effective way of creating simple, stylish and individual designs on china. Porcelain paints are very durable, but do keep the painted designs to areas that won’t come into contact with cutlery – such as the outsides of bowls and the edges of plates. The technique takes a little practice, but you can wipe or wash off your design if it is wonky or wrongly spaced, or if there are any smudges or mistakes, as the paint is removable until it is baked. (Have some damp kitchen paper to hand for this purpose, and make sure that you clean up any marks that may have occurred during the printing process before you bake your china.) It is important to flatten the stencil down well when printing – and even to cut some extra stencils to use if you are decorating a lot of china, in case your stencil loses its stickiness.
This is a satisfying and effective way of creating simple, stylish and individual designs on china. Porcelain paints are very durable, but do keep the painted designs to areas that won’t come into contact with cutlery – such as the outsides of bowls and the edges of plates. The technique takes a little practice, but you can wipe or wash off your design if it is wonky or wrongly spaced, or if there are any smudges or mistakes, as the paint is removable until it is baked. (Have some damp kitchen paper to hand for this purpose, and make sure that you clean up any marks that may have occurred during the printing process before you bake your china.) It is important to flatten the stencil down well when printing – and even to cut some extra stencils to use if you are decorating a lot of china, in case your stencil loses its stickiness.
1Prepare the stencils and china Trace and transfer your chosen template on the inside front cover onto the paper backing of the low-tack mask or stencil film, and carefully cut it out using a scalpel or craft knife on a cutting mat. Remove any sticky labels from the china and wash and dry it thoroughly.
Work out the positions of each stencil Measure the circumference of each bowl by placing a length of masking tape around the outer rim, then gently remove the tape and stick it onto a plastic surface. Use the shape you have cut out of your stencil to work a design so that there is more or less 1cm (½in) between each shape, and mark their positions on the masking tape.
Mark the stencil positions on the china bowl and begin printing Reposition the masking tape just below the bowl’s outer rim and use a watercolour pencil to mark out the stencil positions on the bowl’s side, positioning the stencil each time so that its top edge is 6mm (¼in) down from the rim of the bowl. Using a small make-up sponge, gently sponge scarlet red or abyss black paint onto the stencil. Be careful not to print over its edges. If you have any accidents or misprints wipe them off the bowl with dampened kitchen paper.
Finish printing and add details Carefully remove the stencil and reposition it repeatedly around the side of the bowl, being careful not to smudge the printed shape. If you are printing the horse, once all of the shapes are printed, scratch out the eye detail with the pointed end of a kebab skewer or cocktail stick. If it is difficult to scratch out the paint, dampen the tip of the stick. Allow to dry for 24 hours and then, following the Porcelaine paint instructions, bake your bowls in an oven for 35 minutes at 150°C/300°F/gas mark 2.