Firing China Paints be lost during subsequent firings. Firing SUCCESS WITH China paints are fired in a standard electric hobby kiln. They should be Using Self-Supporting witness cones CHINA PAINTS fired slowly to allow good adhesion during the firing to check the heat- Tips and to prevent specs caused when work on the kiln shelf will help elimi- organics are not properly burned out. nate problems due to too much or too A certain amount of trial and error little heatwork. China paints are overglaze decorations Firing Ranges of Colors may be necessary for the best results that are applied layer by layer on fired China paint colors differ from glazes in and so colors turn out as desired. Want to learn more? and glazed ware, most often porcelain. how they fire. For glazes, color is less Many china paint manufacturers rec- Read more about applying and firing of a factor in how hot the kiln is fired. ommend pretesting sensitive colors, China Paints in the Orton Firing Line They are translucent, meaning that This is not the case with china paints. like rose, before firing your ware. and Technical Tips publications. some of the underneath color will Members of the Orton Center For show through. Building up layers of Different china colors require different Venting Firing receive these publications at no color adds density as well as deepens heatwork to develop properly. Colors Venting is also very important in firing charge. Single copies are available to the color. Layers of different colors that require the hottest firings are china paints to insure proper develop- nonmembers at a per issue rate. can also be used. Firings are made applied first. The chart below is a ment of colors and to remove the Orton's 80 minute video, Key after each application, with at least good guideline for different colors, but unpleasant fumes which occur during Principles of Successful Firing, is also three firings usually done on a piece. test firings are always recommended. firing. Volatile oils used in china an excellent resource on firing. paints need to burn off and require Unlike metallics which sit on top of Reds sufficient venting. For information on Orton products, glazes, china paints actually melt into 018 - 017 and 020 - 019 see your Orton dealer or distributor. the glaze, bonding with it. During fir- Installation of a downdraft vent sys- ing, china paints do not change color Colors - (not golds) tem will eliminate venting concerns For information on the Center For or develop a glossy finish like many 017-016 Firing, video or publications, con- glazes. In fact, glossy china paints are for both the ware and the kiln room. Slowing down the firing gives more tact Orton Center For Firing, PO usually a sign of overfiring. Golds (pinks, rubies, purples) time for the fumes to be removed and Box 2760, Westerville OH 43086, 015-014 614-895-2663 China painting colors are made from air to circulate in the kiln. If true col- ors do not develop, lack of air in the metallic and mineral oxides in both Application is Important kiln is usually the problem. premixed and dry forms. They are Some color problems with china intended for use on decorative sur- paints which appear after firing, actu- Proper Heatwork faces only. Some may contain lead ally occur during the color preparation Overfiring and underfiring are two and are considered toxic. or painting (application process). other big problem areas for heat sen- sitive china paints. Rough, dull colors The art of china painting involves fine Proper Heatwork and pinks and roses that turn brown detail and practiced skill for the best A mottled look is due to inadequate signal underfirings. Lost and faded results. If ware does not turn out as mixing of the oils and china colors. colors or glossy patches can be the expected, much effort and time is lost Dull or lost colors result when not result of overfiring. along with the piece. enough paint or enough layers of paint are applied. Apply colors in the right order for fir- ing or low-fire colors will burn off and The Edward Orton Jr. Ceramic Foundation P.O. Box 2760, Westerville, Ohio 43086-2760 Orton pyrometric cones and bars • KilnVent™ systems

www.ortonceramic.com 614-895-2663 • 614-895-5610 fax kiln accessories and firing supplies • Center For Firing