Techniques : Drawing lines and patterns on the glazed ceramic ware.

Making process (in detail) :

1. Workpiece design
   Select the Earthenware such as a bowl, a cup, or a plate, and then design an image or sketch a suitable pattern. Or specify the desired picture then select the appropriate shape of such ceramic ware, such as square, hexagonal or round-shape pottery, etc. The creator’s design is unique while the images and patterns are all works of art with positive energy, empowering faith and auspiciousness to the owners. For this piece of work, it is the pottery especially made with the technique of drawing lines and patterns on the glazed ceramic ware.
2. Pattern sketching
   The artist sketches the patterns on the glazed ceramic ware, similar to the painter sketching the piece of Art.
3. Pattern drawing
   Draw the patterns on the glazed ceramic ware with overglaze color using a paintbrush or a paint needle under the unique technique of Medium oil mixed with the exact ratio of overglaze color powder.
   This technique helps reduce the limitation of drawing gold overglaze patterns due to its increasing price.  In addition, the painting needs to be completed right after the step of drawing gold overglaze patterns. Moreover, the painter needs an expertise skill on drawing gold overglaze patterns whereas the lines on ceramic ware is not glittering gold after the fired glaze process.
4. Round 1 Fired glaze
   Put the painted workpiece into the kiln and perform the first kiln at a temperature of 750 degrees Celsius for 3 hours. Leave it to cool down in the furnace for at least 24 hours because the different temperature inside and outside the kiln can damage the workpiece. The Round 1 Fired glaze process is to maintain the lines and patterns of the overglaze painting while the painted lines are bright, glossy and durable. Moreover, the painter can continue the painting process any time after the fired glaze process.
5. Paint and add the detailed lines
   After Round 1 Fired glaze, paint and add the detailed lines and patterns by using the technique of overglaze color mixed with exact ratio of Medium oil. Mix the color using trowel on the ceramic plate, similar to mixing color for oil painting. Similar to those paintings, this is a significant process where skilled ceramic painter creates the colorful details on the workpiece to its perfection.
6. Round 2 Fired glaze
   Put the painted work piece into the kiln for the second kiln at a temperature of 800-830 degrees Celsius for 4 hours. Leave it to cool down in the furnace for at least 24 hours because the different temperature inside and outside the kiln can damage the workpiece. Finally, the painted ceramic masterpiece is completed. For the huge size of workpiece, the ceramic pieces are adjacent to the desired size for the next step of painting on each piece. At each round of fired glaze, each ceramic piece is meticulously proceeded at the same temperature and kiln duration. Then the ceramic pieces are attached with glued nails on a plywood sheet at the similar size of the workpiece which the patterns and lines are continuing as the same single images.

Most Benjarong pottery created by Wirat illustrates the adapting way of Benjarong workpiece creation, in the concept of “Creating Benjarong paintings on pottery” to increase the value both in term of Fine Art and finance, while Thai handicrafts are constantly recognized and conserved from generation to generation.

According to this concept, the unique masterpieces are created out of artistry and creativity into the positive visual Art, based on auspicious stories from the ancient Chinese literature, reflecting an encouraging mood to the recipients. The workpiece is a harmonious combination of Thai sense, distinctive Art, Isaan local wisdom and the Thai Art & culture preservation.

Wirat also creates the unique style of work creation with the exceptional Blue and white pattern drawing. The porcelain color scheme is classically created, while the indigo blue color represents water, meaning the peacefulness. In the sense of Art, indigo blue is a cool tone of comfort to the beholders. Each color being painted on Wirat’s workpieces is under the exceptional color mix technique; the overglaze color mixed with exact ratio of Medium oil. Then Mix each color using trowel on the ceramic plate, similar to mixing color for oil painting. Being different from general Benjarong painting where water is mixed, this technique remains the lifelong colorful, distinct, dimensional ad durable patterns on such pottery.

Reference:

• Wirat Thakrainet. Interview by V View Go Company Limited. 22 March 2023.
• Institute for the Promotion of Thai Arts and Crafts (Public Organization). 2022. The Handicraft Inheritor, The Handicraft Master, The National Master Artisan 2022. Bangkok.

Compiled by :

• We will Go Co., Ltd.
• Institute for the Promotion of Thai Arts and Crafts (Public Organization)

Date of last data recording: 22 March 2023