Every stage of the process of painting on porcelain is described - from using and combining colours, applying the design, sketching and shading, through to firing and finishing the final piece of porcelain. There are over 70 contemporary and traditional designs illustrated, with flowers, insects, birds and abstract designs being just some of the subjects used to decorate plates, teapots and eggs. The china painter should find practical instructions on several painting techniques; the hobby painter should discover how to combine and apply colour; and the miniaturist, illuminator, calligrapher and fabric painter should be interested by the designs.