Underglaze painting on decorative ceramic ware is a form of painting done on the ceramics before the glazing process. Stay with Saed News to learn more about this art.
Underglaze Painting: A Unique Art in Pottery Decoration
Introduction
Underglaze painting is one of the most unique techniques in decorating pottery. With this method, artists can create beautiful designs on ceramic objects before the glazing process. Since the glaze covers the painted surface, this type of decoration not only enhances beauty but also increases the durability and strength of the ceramic piece. Through underglaze painting, you can achieve a brilliant and eye-catching finish on pottery surfaces. This technique enables the creation of intricate and artistic designs on ceramics.
Underglaze painting, also known as “Zir-Rangi” in Persian, is one of the most beautiful and attractive techniques in ceramic art, used globally. This artistic technique greatly contributes to the enhancement of handicrafts. In Iran, the origin of this type of painting dates back to the 11th and 12th centuries AH (17th and 18th centuries AD), during the Seljuk era, which marked the golden age of underglaze painting.
Initially, the technique was limited to blue and black colors in Iran. As it gained popularity, more people became interested in learning it to create beautiful painted pottery. Generally, this kind of painting, along with other patterns created on pottery, is referred to as silhouette painting ("Naqashi Saye-Nama").
After reading this article, if you take another look at the pottery in your home, you might spot a piece decorated with underglaze painting—perhaps a cup or plate you've used many times without realizing it's a form of this artistic technique. The versatility of underglaze painting has led to a wide variety of designs, patterns, and colors that suit various tastes.
This method is especially used for functional pottery such as cups, mugs, bowls, plates, as well as decorative items like vases and ceramic figurines. The result is diverse artistic pieces that combine tradition, innovation, and beauty—making them popular choices for homeware and even as gifts.
Contemporary Iranian artists use underglaze painting not only in traditional ceramics but also in visual arts. Nowadays, this technique is also applied to jewelry, incense burners, and more. Next time you drink tea from your favorite cup, look more closely—you may see a rose that glows more brightly under the glaze. Take a moment to appreciate its age, authenticity, and elegance.
Materials and Process
In the underglaze painting technique, a white, yellow, blue, or black slip (a thin liquid clay) is first applied to the surface intended for decoration. Then, it is fired in a kiln to prepare it for painting.
In another method, designs are painted with various colors directly onto ceramic bodies made of frit (glass paste), and then the piece is coated with a transparent alkaline glaze and fired again. As a result, the colors under the glaze—such as black, cobalt blue, turquoise, and green—appear vividly, with black often being dominant.
The growing popularity of this technique has led to diverse styles and color compositions in pottery decoration. Early designs were simple and abstract, but over time, more complex and artistic forms evolved.
With underglaze painting, artists can create creative and elegant decorations on pottery, resulting in unique and visually stunning pieces. It is considered an outstanding technological advancement in ceramics. Even simple tools like pencils, colored pencils, or pens can be used to sketch beautiful designs.
However, care must be taken to paint gently to avoid damaging the pottery surface during the process.
1. Choosing or Making the Pottery Body
Underglaze painting can be done on both raw and bisque-fired ceramics. Beginners are recommended to start with pre-fired pottery. As skills develop, they can transition to painting on raw clay. If working with raw clay, the piece must be fired after painting.
Choosing the right body is crucial—light-colored bodies (pink to white) are preferred because they help the painted colors stand out. Since red clay is commonly used in Iranian pottery, artists often apply a thin white slip (called engobe) as a base layer.
2. Preparing Colors and Creating Designs
The most common way to apply designs is using watercolors with brushes designed for underglaze work. For mass production, colored stamps may also be used.
Underglaze colors typically consist of four components:
Colorant: Usually mineral-based pigments like metal oxides (e.g., cobalt oxide for blue), which can withstand high firing temperatures (~1100°C).
Binder: A glaze powder different from the final glaze is added to help the color adhere during firing.
Suspending agent: Prevents pigment particles from settling. Common agents include CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose) or natural gum like tragacanth.
Solvent: Usually water.
Finding the right formula depends on the artist’s experience, but once achieved, it results in optimal color and consistency.
3. Final Glazing
After painting, the piece is covered with a clear glaze to enhance durability, preserve the design, and add a glossy finish. It is then fired again at a specific temperature to achieve the final result.
In this article, we provided a comprehensive overview of underglaze painting—a fascinating and refined ceramic art technique. We hope it has been informative and inspiring for those interested in traditional crafts and artistic innovation.
