Decorating a Platter

Rita Hill used special porcelain paints to jazz up some plain white serving platters.

You will need:

• ceramic platters
• methylated spirits
• Pébéo Porcelaine paints
• paintbrushes (soft taklon or sable)
• Pébéo Porcelaine outliner or felt tip pen
• a soft lead pencil   

1. Clean the platter thoroughly with methylated spirits.
2. Mark your design on the platter with a soft lead pencil (a 6B is ideal for this job).
3. Paint your design onto the platter, building the paint up in two or three layers for a less streaky look. (Tip: if you make a mistake, simply wash the platter and start again.)
4. After the paint has dried completely, outline your design with an outliner or felt tip pen (it must be a Pébéo Porcelaine one).
5. Let the platter dry for at least 24 hours, then bake at 150°C for 35 minutes.
   (Note: these paints are not recommended for the centre of dinner plates where they would be susceptible to scratching from knife and fork action.)

Further information:

Rita used Maxwell & Williams platters. They are priced between $30-$60, and widely available at craft stores. Pébéo Porcelaine paints ($6.29 each) and paintbrushes ($6-$20) are available at Spotlight stores nationally. Phone (03) 9690 8899.

This story is in the July edition of the Burke’s Backyard magazine, available at newsagents for $4.60.