How Delft blue is painted by hand

People are often surprised that the blue they know from souvenir shops starts out nearly black. The colour comes from cobalt oxide, and it only becomes blue in the kiln.

1. The sketch

We draw the motif lightly in pencil, then transfer it onto the biscuit-fired plate with a fine charcoal dust. The pencil burns away in the kiln, so nothing of it remains.

2. Outlines first

The first pass is the outline, painted with a small brush loaded with very little paint. A steady hand matters more than speed.

3. Shading with water

The darker and lighter blues come from diluting the same paint. More water gives a paler tone. There is no second colour on the palette.

4. Glaze and firing

After painting, the plate is dipped in a clear lead-free glaze and fired at about 1,050 °C. The paint sinks into the glaze and turns blue.