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Description
In this workshop, students will be introduced to the process of china painting, a low-fire enamel technique in which imagery and color are painted onto an already glazed ceramic surface and fired multiple times to build depth, luminosity, and complexity. Using water-based china paints, participants will learn how to prepare and mix materials, apply imagery and color, and understand the unique firing process that allows ceramic surfaces to evolve over time through layered firings. Unlike underglaze, slips, or majolica, which settle beneath or into a glaze surface, china painting creates an entirely new surface on top of an existing glaze, opening up possibilities for rich color, translucency, layering, and detailed mark-making.
This process can be used on nearly any glazed ceramic surface, making it an accessible and exciting way to extend the life of existing ceramic work or experiment with found objects and finished forms. While china painting is traditionally best suited for white or light-colored glossy surfaces, darker, textured, or rougher surfaces can produce unusual and compelling effects that expand the visual possibilities of the material. Thrifted plates and glazed test surfaces will be provided for student experimentation, making the workshop approachable even for participants who have not yet made their own ceramic work.
Throughout the workshop, students will learn a range of approaches including washes, line work, layering, and building surface through successive firings. We will also discuss historical and contemporary examples of china painting and consider how the process can function as both a decorative and conceptual tool within ceramic practice.
Participants can expect to leave with a foundational understanding of water-based china paint methods, firing considerations, and strategies for integrating enamel surfaces into their own work. This workshop is designed as a combination of demonstration and hands-on studio practice, with ample time for experimentation, discussion, and individual guidance. The workshop is open to all skill levels, from beginners curious about ceramic surface processes to experienced ceramic artists looking to expand their approach to imagery and glaze surfaces.
Skill Level
Open to all skill levels, from beginners curious about ceramic surface processes to experienced ceramic artists looking to expand their approach to imagery and glaze surfaces.
What to Bring
Notebook + something to write with
Any source material (photos, drawings etc.) that you feel inspired by or would like to paint
Variety of small brushes (soft, somewhere between acrylic and watercolor brushes)
1 roll of soft paper towels
Feel free to bring a lunch or snacks. Chases has a fully equipped kitchen with a refrigerator, microwave, dishes, and utensils.
Provided Materials
Two White 4.25” x 4.25” Ceramic Wall Tiles per
Thrifted plates and glazed test surfaces will also be provided
A variety of Maryland China and Josephine Pigments and mixing mediums
Rubber tip wipe-out tools
Painters tape
Two firings in our Skutt 1227
Logistics
Registered students will receive a “welcome” email from ceramics@chasesgarage.com one week prior to the workshop date.
Katie McColgan
Katie McColgan is an interdisciplinary artist and ceramics educator living and working in Massachusetts. She holds a BFA in Ceramics from Massachusetts College of Art and Design and an MFA in Art Practices from the University of Colorado Boulder. Her work has been exhibited nationally, and she currently teaches in the Boston area at the Brookline Arts Center and JP Clay. Katie first encountered clay through a local community art center, an experience that continues to shape her deep commitment to communal learning spaces and craft education. With over 20 years of experience, her love of clay has only deepened, even as her practice has expanded to include rug making, painting, and experimental processes that transform scraps and remnants into new forms.
To learn more about Katie, visit www.katie-mccolgan.com
Artwork & Images by Katie McColgan
TERMS + CONDITIONS
Adults (18 or older) may register for classes & workshops at Chases Garage. Chases reserves the right to cancel courses, substitute instructors, change course times, and limit enrollment. The student agrees to abide by any and all rules and policies of the studios. Chases will assume no responsibility for any loss, personal or physical. With enrollment, a student consents to being photographed in classes (unless we informed in writing). These photographs may be used by Chases in future promotional efforts without specific written permission from the student.
WORKSHOP WITHDRAWAL & REFUND POLICY
Due to limited space, pre-ordered materials, logistical constraints, and the nature of our workshop formats, all workshop registrations are non-refundable once confirmed. Chases Garage does not issue refunds unless we cancel a workshop due to low enrollment.