Basic Paste Directions

On a large tile, mix four parts Hancock's Powder to one part tin oxide. Grind the powders together thoroughly until no white particles can be seen.

Add to the powder mixture enough Barbara Jensen Medium for Raised Paste to form a stiff putty-like consistency.

Store this mixture in a small, airtight container such as an eye cream jar or a small opal jar.

To use the paste, remove a small amount of mixed paste from the jar to a tile and thin in with pure, unused gum turpentine. Synthetic turpentine or turpentine substitutes will not do for paste work so, if you are sensitive to turpentine, it is best to do raised designs with another product.

Apply the thinned paste to the porcelain with a fine, sharply pointed scroller. To make dots, thin the paste with the turpentine until the paste does not "string". To make scrolls, a slightly thicker consistency of paste works best. Always use a light touch when applying dots and scrolls. Your paste will have a smoother surface (which shines better when the paste is gilded and polished) and the profile of your paste will be nice and high.

More detailed instructions for raised paste application can be found in my books: Good as Gold, Gold for all Seasons, Golden Inspirations, and Golden Reflections.

The paste should be allowed to dry completely before firing. Fire the dry paste slowly to cone .016. Allow the kiln to cool completely with the lid closed before removing th efired paste. Do not touch the fired paste with your bare hands, as the oil in your skin can cause the gold to adhere to the paste unevenly. Aply un-fluxed Roman gold to the paste and fire to cone .017 - again, slowly. Allow your piece to cool completely before removing it from the kiln.

Polish the gilded paste with a fiberglass burnishing brush or with burnishing sand. Rinse the porcelain in tepid water, dry it with a soft cloth, and enjoy.