Portrait of Andrea

Sol Labos Brien · 03-11-2006, 11:26 PM

This is my first post on this forum. I don't know how it will turn out. Hopefully you will be able to see the pictures. I had to make them so much smaller than usual in order to post them here. I painted this portrait of miss Andrea from a photograph I took of her when she was 7 years old. It is painted on a porcelain plaque using china paints that have to be fired several times at very high temperatures. Let me know what you think.

Mischa Milosevic · 03-12-2006, 04:54 AM

She is quite lovely! You have represented her beauty and poise brilliantly. Grate work!

Richard Monro · 03-12-2006, 06:40 AM

Wonderful portrait and very interesting medium. Could you tell us a little bit more about painting on porcelain?

Sol Labos Brien · 03-12-2006, 01:23 PM

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.

Claudemir Bonfim · 03-13-2006, 07:07 AM

Very, very beautiful and interesting work. I always enjoyed landscapes and portraits on porcelain.

Sol Labos Brien · 03-13-2006, 09:58 AM

Thank you Claudemir for the appreciation. I love painting on porcelain because it is a challenge also. Your painting depends on how the colors will react to the heat, it is always with great expectation that we open the kiln an discover if we did the right thing and if the kiln behaved as we planned. So it is not only thinking that we painting it right but we have to think what temperature will suit best the different colors and steps. That is what makes this art form so exciting. I wish more artist would take it up before it disappears.
Best wishes and thanks for looking in.

Sharon Knettell · 03-13-2006, 10:06 AM

Beautiful exquisite work with a high level of craftmanship.

Visit his website at www.atelierdebercy.com to see some gorgeous work in porcelain. The white plate with gold painted birds is alone worth the trip.