PHOTO 7:

The background of each piece is airbrushed with a thinned mixture of the engobe paints. The different colors are subtly shaded together so that they will compliment the foreground brushwork.

PHOTO 8:

George Rydings begins to paint a floral design on a piggy bank.

PHOTO 9:

When the decorating is completed, each piece is allowed to completely dry. Afterwards, they are fired for the first time in the kiln. This is referred to as a "bisque firing."

PHOTO 10:

Several coats of commercially made lead-free glaze are applied to each piece. Then they are placed back in the kiln for the "glaze firing". The glazing process adds a glass like finish to each piece, making it non-porous while significantly increasing the intensity of the colors.