CONVENTIONAL STYLE PAINTING
The old-fashioned naturalistic style of china decoration is a thing of the past. One sees almost nothing of that sort in the metropolitan exhibitions, because patrons of Keramic art are weary of a type which admits of so little variety and individuality.
Flowers and fruit have gradually been shaped into designs, and these in many cases are so conventionalized that they have lost almost all resemblance to the original form.
There can be no doubt that conventional work has come to stay, and there is a distinct gain in this. Endless opportunities are opened for the artist to show character in both composition and color.
The china painter of yesterday spent her time almost entirely on color. The natural flowers were often placed almost anywhere on the china and were admired for color and treatment alone.
No wonder Keramics was not considered an art!
To-day the artist thinks before she touches the color work.
A design should suggest the shape to which it is to be applied, and proportion plays an important part. A plate, for instance, with too wide a band is a pitiful thing, and a design that is not properly bound together is to be shunned.
A low stocky looking piece may be treated with a motif used once on either side and connected with a gold or color band. It is a common mistake to try to bind the body of a teapot, or similar article, and the spout and handle! The two latter are entirely separate and demand other treatment.
Plenty of plain background will enhance the effect of the design. One can easily overload a piece of china with a design good in itself but too elaborate and large.