Painting can be a tricky beast so when I came across this project on A Merry Mishap that involved paint pens, I was excited. Surely it would be easier than mastering a paintbrush! And for the most part it is easier thanks to Pebeo Porcelaine pens. I tracked them down at Spotlight while Kate went on a mission to IKEA to source a variety of plates.
Inspiration for our designs came from book covers, Islamic Art books, Marimekko and even a children's colouring in book! It was hard to take that first step in committing paint to porcelain but steady hand Kate was the bravest among us. In no time at all, she had created three quirky plates featuring trees, flowers and a yellow bird.
Jess tackled more intricate lines designs and they really tested the perfectionist in her! She discovered quickly that you could wipe off the paint easily before it dried or scratch it off later on down the track. Her hypnotic designs certainly catch your eye!
I explored the world of ladybugs and pea pods for my plates but hit a creative wall when it came to the large brown platter. It was only after the girls had packed up and gone home that I finally settled on a starting point.
We each took our plates home and, after letting them dry for 24 hours, we baked them for 35 minutes in a 150°C oven. We learnt a few things along the way - the thicker pens give a more consistent colour than the thin pens, some colours are too dark for filler - so next time we plate up, it will be a breeze!Amanda
