Taking liberties for my art…

I painted two plates as souvenirs of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. (Using the formal because I want it to sound grand. It may lessen the rather pedestrian nature of the souvenirs I produced!) one plate went to Miss Dunnit and the other is in regular use in my daily crockery stack. The design was my own in as much as I took a liberty by cutting the crown in half. I had downloaded the image from the official website and traced it, then scribbled all over the back of the tracing with a soft pencil and then traced it again onto the naked plates. Remember that technique from childhood? Still works but my word, it’s very laborious. Very. Anyway, I Dunnit.

The lettering was stamped just as a size gauge, so when it came to painting, I kept it simple and used it as a guide for spacing etc. thank goodness, the stamped ink burned off in the kiln! I was left with a gap at the foot of the plate which I really didn’t like, so asked for a delay in glazing to gimme a chance to think of something to add. Naturally, I was about a mile from the studio when it occurred to me that EIIR would be the most appropriate addition. I didn’t quite do a handbrake turn and go back to save the day. Instead I did the grown up thing and waited till I next had some time booked. I know, surprised me too.

So, the world turns and momentous events mean that we are now facing the coronation of King Charles III. Today I’m going to start on my souvenir plates. Start by downloading the official image. Did that about 6 weeks ago and am still in shock….

The detail! I’m a heavy handed painter as ably illustrated on the Jubilee plates. And, I don’t think I have the patience to trace, let alone paint this image, twice. Because Miss Dunnit must have her souvenir too, whether she wants it or not. I may have been whining to the ceramic studio lady about the labour involved. I was whining, you have no trouble believing that. Ceramic Gal clapped her hands, rushed into her office and came back with a sheet of special carbon paper for using on unglazed bisque. I had to hug her. So, because today is the deadline, yesterday, I traced onto the first plate. Now, this is where I have to be very humble. I mean, you never know who’s reading, huh.  I’ve erm, adapted the pattern slightly your Majesty. I’m using the Crown centre piece and will attempt the font for my lettering…but forgive me sir, the symbols in red that repeat the representations of England Scotland Ireland and Wales are beyond my finesse in painting on a side plate. 

If I’m not carted off to the tower for taking liberties, I’ll show you how it goes.