Mumbaikars take up ceramic painting to de-stress and learn something new

Got a few plates and other items of crockery that you have used long enough and want to swap for something newer? Don’t just discard them yet. Instead, give them a creative new look with a ceramic paint job. That’s right, you can hand paint your existing crockery and give them a complete makeover using techniques that can easily be followed at home.A group of Mumbaikars tried that out recently, too at event held at the Vaishnavipratima interiors studio, Lower Parel.
Easy to make

The workshop was for about two hours and held in the evening. Most participants were first-timers, says Mamta Vora. “They had not picked up a brush yet, but with ceramic painting using a brush is only one part of it – the rest is about sponging, marbling and etching, which uses different tools,” she explains.
Participants were first given a brief history of the technique. “The main idea behind it, is recycling. When you have dinner pieces at home, you can easily repaint and make use of them. Glass is a material that takes over 100 years to be recycled. So, if you have old glasses or plates they can easily be re-used,” she says.
Next up, they cleaned their plates with a spirit and saw a demo of what was to be done ahead. Mamta poured the porcelain colours for each person, individually. “I avoid a whole bunch of hues and usually just work with two colours as it simplifies things. And moreover, when you use the same brush over and over again without washing, it actually gives you different shades, even if they are dull colours, which is nice,” she explains.
The participants could copy a design that was given or explore their own creativity. They made abstract designs and had fun while doing so.
They had a relaxed, artistic experience



Babita Fernandes, a resident of Mahim did such a class for the first time. “I held the brush after a good 30 years. Mamta explained so beautifully and it was a nice, de-stressing experience trying this out with so many others. We didn’t realise where the time had passed. I used a mix of shades on my ceramic plate. Once it was coloured it was baked on the premises and then I got it home.”
Therapist Priti Jayesh painted a ceramic plate and also plans to use her painted mug. “It really made for a relaxed, learning experience that cuts you off from the outer world.”