Porcelain Artists of  Canada Inc. 

The porcelain artist begins by transferring their basic design onto china blanks (Blanks are undecorated glazed or unglazed (bisque) porcelain forms). Blanks manufactured in a multitude of shapes and designs can be purchased from catalogues, general department stores, local studios, or directly from the companies producing them. Over-glazed paints (special low fire mineral pigments derived from metallic oxides and flux) are applied in several steps.  The paints generally supplied in powder form are mixed with oil for painting.   Over-glazed paints are translucent and require numerous kiln firings to approximately 800 degrees centigrade to build up the desired colour and effect. In the firing process the colour might change slightly as the glaze softens and the colours bind and become permanent.  Being able to withstand such high temperatures is one reason why painted porcelain pieces are far more likely than canvas paintings to survive the ages.