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This is a continuation from the last blog post session, when we were talking about designing our rectangle for the still life.

I did choose the top configuration, although either would have been good.

This is my first application of paint (first fire as we would say as china painters).  I will be putting this in the kiln tonight to set the paint into the surface of the glaze so that I may apply more paint or the next values.

What I look for when I start to apply the first application of paint is  the local colors of the piece.   Sometimes it is hard to see in the photograph, but if you study it and really look you can begin to see the subtle shades or colors that has drawn you to that particular still life.  In this one for me was the beautiful pink/lavender ( cool shadows) from all the whites.  The wonderful deeper shadows and reflections in the silver container.   Even the porcelain cup switches to the green or warmer shadows.   THEN there is the wonderful glow from the inside of the silver container and same glow from the spoon.  The cloth behind repeats the same glow. 

So my silver has a pink on the light side and a blue/ruby added to the shadow side.

The porcelain cup is a blue green shadows along with the saucer.

I used a ruby purple for the dark in the right upper corner so that when I did apply my darker color later, it would not look flat and dull.

The handle, of course, is painted with those same paints with high lights wiped out.  I took this opportunity to put in the darker shadows behind the handle to push my lighter shapes forward and set my shapes below.   When I wiped out the edge of the cloth in the background I did not totally clean my brush, so that some of the purple color shaded my cloth to soften the turning of the fabric.

The peppers in the upper left are more intense for the time being, but will be neutralized later.

The cloth and bowl are varied shades of the pinks, blues, purples and blue greens.

I must admit it took me several times to get started (wiped off twice.)  When it doesn't seem to be a crisp and clean start, I have to wipe and walk away.  It is just not the day or time to be working.   Sometimes it takes cleaning up my space, putting all my bottles away, putting away all my other papers or studies  and make a new uncluttered area.  that helps for a neat, clean, non-oily first fire.    Strange, you think?   I do!

Ok lets get this tile fired tonight and continue tomorrow.