“Kor-kai” article published in the magazine “Porcelain Plus 4-2003” of Finland
A Diversion to Thailand
Jariya Kiranantawat from Bangkok has sent an amusing children’s pattern where the idea is based on the Thai language. In the picture a small girl is feeding a chicken and chicks. The girl has just returned from school. In Thai language the first letter is not an A-letter but it is called Kor-kai. A cockerel, chicken and chick are also known by the name of kai, but have an additional syllable. A chicken is Mae Kai, a cockerel is Por Kai and a chick is Luk Kai. Pockets of school uniforms of Thai children often have motifs, like their own or the school’s name, embroidered on them.
Kor-kai
At first I drew the pattern on a piece of paper and traced only the image of the girl onto a plate. On the top left there is the letter kor-kai. I tried to keep the picture and the letter on the plate in balance.
The first fire: I painted the girl and all animals. I used lead-free porcelain colours. I mixed the colours into slow-drying oil. I used the “American technique” and square brushes of different size. A pointed brush was used for details of the face, letters of the pocket, and wings and legs of the chicken.
The second fire: I repainted all the figures and shaded them. This time I also painted the background.
The third fire: I checked the piece of work, added colours and deepened the shadows.
Tips: each painter can use their own ideas for alphabets and pictures using children’s patterns. Use colours that can be combined to create countless tones of colours. Choose the themes from your own familiar circle. Use environmentally friendly lead-free colours on a children’s palette.
I hope all the readers will enjoy painting!
Jariya Kiranantawat
E-mail: jk@jariya-studio.com
