Underglaze painting
Technique of decorating ceramics and porcelain with paints before glaze application
Underglaze painting is a method of decorating porcelain or ceramic items, where the painting is applied to the biscuit before glazing and the subsequent firing. Paints for underglaze painting usually use metal oxides; the color intensity depends on the firing temperature. Blue, green, and purple shades are most commonly used.
This approach ensures the durability of the pattern; it does not wear off or fade over the years—the design is literally firmly "baked" under a layer of transparent glaze. It is known for requiring careful handling: under the glaze, the paint spreads slightly, which the artist must take into account. It is underglaze painting that made the blue "Gzhel" ornament famous—no feast in Russia is complete without exquisite dishes with this decor.