When I painted my own Ceramic
When I visited Baan Pinsuwan Benjarong, a home-industry producing exquisite hand-painted ceramics, I didn’t know it would be so much fun.
First we visited the factory about which I’ll write later in a separate post.
In the factory, we saw and learnt the basics of ceramic painting. Skillful artists were transferring traditional designs onto the ceramic pieces. In the beginning, it looked very easy but when I was told that the artists practice for months and years to be able to paint these ceramics, I was more observant.
Benjarong ware is a kind of painted porcelain in Thailand. The name Benjarong has come from Bali and Sanskrit words Benja and Rong, literally meaning “Five Colors”.
The artists use five main colors (Blue, red, yellow, black and white) and then mix them to get more colors. Generally it takes about five days to design and color a piece.
Colors and the sample piece on my table.
Of course we didn’t have that much time to do complete ceramic painting. We were given pieces with outlines done & we had just 15 minutes to finish our products.
As the color is heavy, it settles down to the bottom of the bowl. You need to mix it well before dipping the brush.
Halfway through. Comparing the pieces. Until the piece is baked in charcoal ovens, the colors look very dull.
The factory people were kind enough to burn the pieces in the kiln & send them over to our hotel the next day. How did they know which piece belonged to me? Well, I had painted my name at the back! 😀
And my finished product with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Have you painted a ceramic?
Note:- This post is written under Living the Thai culture series. You can read more posts of the series by clicking the following links. There is more to come.
Thai Herbal Compress Luk Prakob
Reviving the Dragon Earthen Water Jars
When I painted my own Ceramic
Celebrating Muay Thai
Giving Alms to Monks
Songkran Splendours!
If you want to travel places with me, I suggest you to join me on my Facebook travel page and Twitter.
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You always come up with such interesting posts & pics that it’s difficult to wait.
Why very few posts these days?
Shreya,
Thank you.
I have been busy with other offline work so unable to post here. 🙁
I know it’s not good.
That is a good experience! 🙂
Hope I get to have it some time.
Indrani,
It’ll be an excellent exercise for you since you have that artistic eye. 🙂
Interesting experience.
Niranjan,
Of course it was !
Your painting is just awesome, specially the last one which contains beautiful small butterflies which make me happy.
Kunal,
Thank you very much. I think I did a good job as I am not a good at painting.
Yeah butterfly and those two love doves too. 😀
Nice way of learning new things.
Rajesh,
Absolutely! There is no end to learning I believe. And no age as well.
Waah kya baat..Nice interesting info abt Ceramic painting.
Manish,
Thank you. I would like to see something similar in India as well.
Oh wow ! Thats interesting.I love creamic painting but never gor my hands on them .Hope to do the same next time 🙂
Rutavi,
Is it not available in India anywhere? I think they should promote it here also.
seriously? is it done by you ? I mean, awesome work it is .. you are quite well in painting Nisha.. keep it up!
Kunal,
Now I don’t know what to say! 😀
Wow. The painted ceramic looks neat. Nice work…
Param,
Thank you. Have you tried something like this?
It would have been a great fun isn’t it.. I am going to try this too this weekend..
Peter,
So now you must have tried it. Right? Picture please. 🙂
Wow you have done a mighty good job! 🙂
Chaitali,
Thank you. 🙂
Are you in Mumbai? Let’s catch up sometime.
Hey, wow! You really are an artist! I really loved it and will start it.
Rakesh,
Have you started it yet? 🙂
Wish I could! When we see a perfectionist performing something, we always dream to achieve that perfection, because we are awed by their art. It can be any art. But, we tend to forget their hard work and dedication behind the scenes.
Of course I tried. But, the more I did, the more it resembled something out of a horror movies. So, for the sake of the art itself, I formally and officially quit trying to be an artist and am content to be a connoisseur. 😀
I’d rather enjoy others than try it myself and begin to hate it!
Rakesh,
That’s the human nature.
Glad that you tried before deciding to quit. 😀
What a wonderful experience, and I’m very impressed with your beautiful piece. I can see that with such short time they have to pain the outlines or it would be impossible! I did a pottery class on a trip to Japan last year, and it was one of the highlights of the trip. So wonderful to be creative when travelling.
I have never thought of doing something like this. The hand painting is so intricate and beautiful. What a wonderful excursion idea
The designs are so intricate and delicate. It must have been a joy to paint. I love a spot of quiet creativity!
Wow Nisha…you certainly have a hidden artist (or maybe just unknown to me) in you. Loved your cup and that certificate looks so cool too 🙂
Also so impressed with the detailed work by the artists at the Baan Pinsuwan Benjarong…everything is so beautiful there 🙂
Reading this brought back memories of childhood, of sitting with paint strewn all around and painting to my heart’s content. After that not dared to paint, given that I am no Michael Angelo or Picasso 🙂 But this is definitely interesting, and you have done a geat job.
You are so clever, well done! We painted mugs in Italy with the children so I know how difficult it is.
I have a great deal of admiration for people who have the talent to paint pottery. It must require a lot of patience and attention to detail too. Beautiful work!
Wow you did really well! I have no doubt at how talented the artists are who paint these ceramics. How fun to visit the factory and get to take part in the creation yourself!
I am really impressed by the art at Baan Pinsuwan Benjarong. It actually, requires so much of patience. The piece painted by you has really come up very well and the factory people were really generous to send it to your hotel next day with the certificate. I completely enjoyed reading your post and the pictures are awesome too.
This looks like a fun experience and the outcome is very beautiful! Those colors of the ceramics are great too. Congrats on the great job!