What you'll need?
China Paints - Overglaze paints that can be applied to both glazed and unglazed surfaces. These paints come in powder form and are made from metallic and mineral oxides. Be aware that some may contain lead, so proper precautions should be taken when handling and painting. I like Maryland China and Held Holland paints.
Mixing Medium - Oils or oil blends used to mix with China paints to create a paint-like consistency. There are many options available, each with different thicknesses and drying times. Some are ideal for outlining, while others work better for general color washes.
Palette for Mixing Paints - I prefer using a ceramic palette because it’s easy to clean with turpentine or soap.
Small Palette Knife - Since the paint comes in powder form, you’ll need to mix it with a medium oil to create a smooth, viscous paint. A palette knife helps eliminate any lumps.
Fine Liner Brushes - These are great for detailing small areas and painting fine features.
Various Brushes - Used for blending and buffing the paint.
Kiln - Necessary for firing the China paint.
What mediums do I use?
With so many painting mediums available, I’ll share the ones I use, though there are certainly other great options out there. For general body blushing, I prefer "Old Bavarian Medium" because it's a slower-drying medium, giving me plenty of time to blend the paint smoothly. However, if you’re sensitive to strong smells, this might not be ideal for you, as it contains oils with a noticeable fragrance. The scent is a mix of cloves and copaiba essential oil—some find it pleasant, while others may find it too strong.
For painting facial features, I like to use "MX 54" medium. It dries a bit faster, making it perfect for detailed work, but it can also be used for body blushing. I also use "Outlining Medium" for fine details like pupils and eyelashes. It mixes beautifully with black paint and is excellent for precision work. This medium also contains essential oils, so it has a strong but, in my opinion, pleasant scent.