82 
KERAMIC STUDIO 
by Americans. In Belleek ware, or as I would prefer to call 
it American soft porcelain, any and every shape of vase that 
is ceramically possible can be produced and you will find that 
when you are prepared to use this ware in preference to 
French, the home manufacturers will on their part be ready 
with all the shapes you need. 
I do not advise you to attempt at present, the designing 
of special forms. Speaking generally, forms designed outside 
of a manufactory arc useless. The amateur designer rarely 
understands the requirements of the potter, and the result is 
that a large amount of unnecessary work is involved. Ask for 
the class of work you want by all means, and the manufac- 
turer will give you their best. 
There is one point upon which the makers of soft porce- 
lain cannot help you much, and that is in the matter of ser- 
vices. The soft body is not adaptable to the manufacture of 
plates except such as can be made upon fancy lines, shell 
plates and. the like, but I hope the day is not far distant when 
you will have provided for you a really good service plate 
upon English lines. There is no reason why the bulk of the 
porcelain services now imported should not be made here and 
I confidently anticipate the time when this will be so. 
In conclusion I would ask for a morsel of consideration 
for the potters of whom you are buying your wares. They 
have many difficulties and disappointments. Kilns are as 
capricious as women, and you know well what that means. 
Promises faithfully made in the expectation of a good burn 
are often broken when the oven is opened and we have to 
bear the blame. Be patient with us and we on our side will 
provide you with our best. 
TREATMENT FOR DOGWOOD PITCHER-M. HELEN E MONTFORT 
FIRST PAINTING— After carefully drawing in design, wash 
over base of petals with Mixing Yellow very thin, over 
centre Apple Green and Mixing Yellow. Use for shadows on 
white flowers, Albert Yellow, Black and Deep Blue Green. 
This combination will give you any desired shade of grey, and 
fires nicely. The little ring or cut in end of petal lay in with 
Violet of Iron and Blood Red. Pick up centre with touches 
of Brown Green. Red on back and turnover parts of flowers 
is Violet of Iron and Blood Red, used very thin. Stems are 
Yellow Red and Brown Green. Tint from bottom up, using 
scale of greens from Moss Green to Dark Green, keeping dark- 
est tints under main bunch of flowers. Keep under side of 
handle very light, using a little Mixing Yellow with Moss 
Green, while upper side is very dark and Violet of Iron is used 
toward bottom. Leaves wash in with Apple and Moss Green. 
SECOND PAINTING— Retouch the flowers with same colors 
used at first. In retouching background tints, be careful to 
save edges of flowers by clean even touches. Be careful not 
to do much work on the white flower, and make all touches 
crisp. Leaves retouch with Olive and Brown Green. 
Sometimes a third firing is necessary. In that case de- 
vote your work to thin washes only, and a point or touch 
here and there. Second and third firings should be light, 
while the first needs to be hard. 
