The craft
From brush to fire
Every piece passes through Maysoun's hand, then through fire five times, then through gold.
Painting by hand
Maysoun paints with porcelain colors on a glazed porcelain or ceramic piece. These colors are made from metal oxides, and they only become fixed with heat.
Five stages in the kiln
The piece is fired five times, between 650 and 750 °C. Each time Maysoun adds a new layer, so the colors grow deeper and more lasting, until the piece comes out in its full colors.
Gold, painted cold
After the last stage, gold is painted on the rims and frames cold, without going into the kiln.
Signature and year
Maysoun signs every piece by hand and writes the year. The certificate of authenticity is made from a photo of this signature.
Why panels?
Porcelain cannot be fired in large sizes. So large works are painted on several panels that hang together as one painting, and each panel can be acquired on its own.
Caring for your piece
- Wipe the piece with a soft, slightly damp cloth.
- Do not use strong cleaners or rough sponges.
- Treat the gold gently, because it is painted cold.
- Colors fixed by fire do not change in the sun or the cold.
Questions and answers
What is porcelain painting?
It is painting by hand with special colors made from metal oxides on a glazed porcelain or ceramic piece. After painting, the piece goes into the kiln, where the colors melt into the glaze and become part of it.
Why is each piece fired five times?
Because the colors are built up layer upon layer. Each stage adds depth and makes the color more lasting, until the painting is complete. Maysoun's pieces are fired in five stages, between 650 and 750 °C.
Will the colors fade in the sun?
No. Colors fixed by fire do not change in the sun or the cold, and they last for hundreds of years. The more time passes, the more character they gain.
Does the gold go into the kiln too?
No. On Maysoun's pieces the gold is painted cold at the end, so we advise cleaning it gently, without rubbing.
How do I clean my piece?
Wipe it with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Do not use strong cleaners or rough sponges.
Are any two pieces the same?
No. Every piece is painted by hand, so no two pieces are alike, even on the same wall, and every piece carries its own signature and year.
Can I acquire just one piece from a wall?
Yes. We show the pieces on walls so you can see the whole picture, but every piece is sold on its own.
What is the difference between porcelain and ceramic?
Porcelain is a finer and whiter kind of ceramic, fired at a higher temperature. Maysoun's work includes porcelain plates and ceramic panels, all painted with porcelain colors.