Blue & White Porcelain Painting Workshop with Yunting Li

Sunday, June 28th, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Discover the elegance and expressive possibilities of cobalt underglaze painting in this hands-on Blue & White porcelain workshop with Yunting Li. Guided by Yunting’s expertise, participants will explore historic techniques rooted in the Ming Dynasty and refined in Japan’s Arita porcelain, bridging centuries of artistry while remaining fresh and inspiring today. Suitable for all levels, the workshop covers traditional brushwork, compositional planning, and pigment control, building both skill and confidence on porcelain surfaces. Level: Beginner – Advanced Prerequisite: Prior experience with glazing is recommended but not required. Topics Covered Introduction to the history and aesthetics of blue-and-white porcelain, from Jingdezhen traditions to contemporary interpretations Instruction on bisque ware surface preparation before painting in order to achieve better results Instruction on transferring detail designs from paper onto bisque porcelain surfaces Demonstration of cobalt underglaze preparation and brush control techniques Techniques for painting delicate fine lines using concentrated cobalt underglaze Demonstration of tonal shading techniques using diluted cobalt and larger goat hair brushes. In traditional Chinese blue-and-white porcelain, this shading method is called “Fen Shui” (分水), while in Japan it is known as “Dami” (だみ). The technique involves applying diluted cobalt with a larger brush to create soft tonal washes within the outlined forms, producing depth, movement, and a painterly quality that is characteristic of classical porcelain decoration. Materials & Tools Students are required to either bring a pre-fired piece or purchase one from the guest artist at the start of the workshop. Yunting Li will bring pre-fired (bisqued) porcelain plates, cups, and tiles, available for purchase at the start of the workshop. Students are limited to one piece for the workshop. All other essential tools and materials will be provided by the visiting artist. Bisque-fired porcelain plates, cups and tiles will be available for purchase at the workshop Students are welcome to bring their own preferred brushes Important: Participants must work on a bisque-fired porcelain piece to take part in the workshop. If you are bringing your own piece please make sure that the piece fits the following guidelines: Work must already be bisque-fired prior to the workshop. Porcelain is the recommended clay body for to best fit this overglaze technique Work must be made in cone 6-10 porcelain. Tao of Clay fires to cone 5.5 Size Guidelines: Maximum size: 12” x 12” x 12” Firing Tao of Clay fires to cone 5.5 and all work fired at tao of clay must be suited to mid-fire. Students are welcome to take their piece home to fire instead of firing at Tao of Clay. Firing for one piece is included in the registration fee Due to time constraints, participants will complete one piece during the workshop Studio Access This workshop includes access to the studio only during scheduled workshop hours. About Yunting Li Yunting Li is a ceramic artist, educator, and glaze designer at Laguna Clay and Glaze Company, where she develops and refines glazes trusted by artists worldwide. She holds a BFA in Ceramics from Jingdezhen Ceramic University—the world’s porcelain capital—and an MFA in Ceramics from Saga University in Japan. With more than a decade of experience, Yunting has taught extensively across the U.S. and internationally, leading workshops on Glaze Decoration & Chemistry, Underglaze Painting, and Wheel-Throwing Techniques. She also teaches at the American Museum of Ceramic Art (AMOCA), where her classes are known for combining technical expertise with an approachable, inspiring style of instruction. Fluent in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Japanese, Yunting brings a rare cross-cultural perspective to her teaching. Her workshops are celebrated for being hands-on, engaging, and insightful—demystifying glaze science while sparking creativity for artists at every level. Cancellation Policy All sales are final and non-refundable. No refunds will be given for cancellations made at any time. Please consider this policy before purchasing a ticket. Missed Class Policy We do not offer refunds, prorated refunds, or make-up sessions for missed workshop days or times. Age Requirement Ages 18 + (Ages 16–18 may participate with prior approval. Please contact info@taoofclay.com.) Please contact info@taoofclay.com with any questions.