KERAMIC STUDIO 
i37 
PERSIAN PLATE DESIGN 
FOR BEGINNERS 
WHILE some of our designs may seem complicated, they 
really are not after a little study of them. If they 
appear formidable, you may use tracing paper, which facili- 
tates matters considerably (but do not become too dependent 
upon tracing paper), then go over the design after it is trans- 
ferred very delicately in India ink, which if a mistake is made 
will still adhere to the china even after rubbing off the color 
with turpentine. Try some of those beautiful Arabian 
designs in the October number, that teapot for instance, and 
you will be surprised how quickly the design goes, and delighted 
with the elegant results. This will make such a charming 
Christmas present, and it will be so different in design from 
any thing that you can buy in the stores. 
It is delightful, carried out in flat colors with the flat gold 
outline. If more ambitious, use the enamels and raised gold. 
It is quite simple after all, yet rich in effect. You will not 
tire of it, nor even be ashamed to show it in after years, for 
a conventional design like that is never out of date. 
Before you begin to paint, get your materials all in 
order, see that every thing you need is before you, and that 
your palette is properly arranged and that your colors are 
generously supplied and in good condition. It is a mistake 
to starve your brush, and certainly a poor palette kills all 
inspiration, when one sits down to paint. (This is always 
trying to teachers to go to a pupil, who has a poor, miserably 
prepared palette ; if you wish her to help you, be wise and 
have an alluring palette, plenty of clean, soft color, and she 
will hate to leave you). 
If you are using lustre colors, be careful not to use the 
paint rag for anything but wiping the brushes — unconsciously 
you may wipe the china with it, and to your surprise after the 
firing there will be streaks of color fired in. It is better to 
have a separate brush for each lustre, unless you wash the 
one brush (after each color) with alcohol, and then dry perfectly. 
PYROGRAPHY 
PLAQUE IN BURNT WOOD 
By courtesy ofE. M. Gubsch & Co., New York. 
THE art of Pyrography has received a great impetus this 
last year and bids fair to rank as high as any artistic 
decorative work. That even the most subtle shading can be 
done with this medium will be seen in the accompanying 
illustration. The materials are inexpensive and few lessons 
are needed if one knows how to draw. The effects are artistic 
and easily gained. 
