Courtyard House: Starting in a Ceramics Factory

Chapter 53 The Making of Porcelain Plates

Afternoon
As usual, Li Feng was kneading mud.

It was around three o'clock in the afternoon.

Wang Liu walked up to Li Feng.

When Li Feng saw Wang Liu, he greeted him with a smile.

"Brother Wang!"

"What brings you here today?"

Qian Fusheng, standing next to Li Feng, also looked at Wang Liu with a smile.

Wang Liu glanced at Li Feng, then spoke to Qian Fusheng.

"Master Wang asked me to teach you how to make porcelain slabs."

At this moment, Zhou Jianjun, who was not far away, heard Wang Liu's words, stopped what he was doing, and immediately ran to Wang Liu's side.

Then he asked Wang Liu somewhat anxiously.

"brother!".

"And what about me?"

After Zhou Jianjun finished speaking, he pointed to his face with the index finger of his right hand.

However, Wang Liu's answer greatly disappointed Zhou Jianjun.

At this moment, Wang Liu shook his head helplessly at Zhou Jianjun.

"You can continue kneading the mud here."

Zhou Jianjun was disappointed by this.

Li Feng and Qian Fusheng, on the other hand, felt it was a pity.

Although it wasn't just Li Feng and his two companions kneading mud, there were other people kneading mud there as well.

But as for what to do specifically, you still have to listen to your master.

That's the rule here.

Even if Zhou Jianjun is Director Zhou's son, it's the same.

This is what a craftsman is like.

At this point, Zhou Jianjun could only go back to kneading the mud in disappointment.

Li Feng and Qian Fusheng were taken by Wang Liu to the very edge of the pottery workshop.

There are several large tables here.

These are all used to make porcelain slabs.

After observing, Li Feng found that the surfaces of these tables were all flat and smooth.

At this moment, Li Feng asked Wang Liu.

"Brother Wang!"

"Should the porcelain slab be pressed onto this table?"

Wang Liu was taken aback for a moment, then he asked Li Feng.

"You've done it before?"

Li Feng shook his head to indicate no.

Meanwhile, Qian Fusheng asked Wang Liu a question.

"Brother Wang! Could it really be as Li Feng just said, that it's being suppressed?"

Wang Liu nodded to Qian Fusheng and began to explain.

"The porcelain plate! It is indeed as Li Feng just said, made by pressing."

"Do you see that long wooden stick leaning against the side?"

Li Feng and Qian Fusheng nodded together, indicating that they had seen it.

Wang Liu then explained to the two of them.

“The porcelain slabs are made by piecing together long wooden sticks to form a certain size. Then, a large round iron rod is used to roll out the kaolin clay, like a rolling pin.”

“Making porcelain slabs is relatively simple, so Master Wang called me here this time to teach you these things first.”

"Although making ceramic slabs is simple, some problems can still occur during the process."

"So I'm here to teach you how to handle problems that arise during the production process."

After listening to Wang Liu's explanation, Li Feng and Qian Fusheng both nodded to Wang Liu to indicate that they understood.

Next up!
Wang Liu started by placing wooden strips on a flat table. Then he took a few more wooden strips and arranged them into a rectangle on the table, with buckles securing the strips around their edges.

These wooden strips were arranged to measure 24 x 37 centimeters.

This size of ceramic tile is also the best-selling ceramic tile.

Because the size is just right.

Porcelain slabs of this size are generally used to depict Guanyin or other Buddhist or Taoist figures.

There are also many depictions of flowers, birds, mountains, and water.

However, the most common form of landscape painting is the four-panel screen.

The dimensions are 75*22 cm.

There are many flower and bird painters in the factory who can paint four-panel screens.

There are relatively few paintings of landscapes.

perhaps!

It's probably related to the level of difficulty.

Actually, Li Feng had heard about it from others.

Landscape painting is easy to learn, but very difficult to master.

The flower and bird theme is of moderate difficulty.

The most difficult part is dealing with people.

of course!

These are conclusions drawn by people in the factory.

However, the specific learning process is highly dependent on individual aptitude.

Next

Wang Liu put the porcelain clay directly into the wooden frame.

He then used a large iron rod to roll the clay evenly back and forth.

He then used a piece of metal to repair the uneven areas.

Wang Liu scraped very carefully. It took him about twenty minutes to finish making the porcelain slab.

After finishing the porcelain plaque, Wang Liu rolled up his sleeves and wiped the sweat from his forehead with his arm.

He then began to speak to the two of them.

"Now that we've finished making it, we need to take this wooden board directly to the next room."

"Once the glaze is applied and the firing is completed, it's considered truly finished."

"certainly!".

“We just need to take the things to the next room, and then we’re done.”

After Wang Liu finished speaking, he pointed directly to the table next to Li Feng and Qian Fusheng.

"As for how to carry this board!"

"It's very simple!"

Then Wang Liu pointed to the wooden planks piled up not far away. Each plank had two wooden strips embedded underneath, and they were stacked together one after another.

"Just push the ceramic tile onto this wooden board."

After Wang Liu finished speaking, he demonstrated it to the two of them.

After Wang Liu finished demonstrating.

Wang Liu encouraged Li Feng and Qian Fusheng to give it a try.

Li Feng and Qian Fusheng both started trying out Wang Liu's method.

Because Li Feng's skill level is already very high.

So it wasn't long before he made a porcelain slab just like Wang Liu.

The flatness of the porcelain slabs made by Li Feng was even better than that of Wang Liu.

After looking at the porcelain plaque that Li Feng had made, Wang Liu couldn't help but gasp.

"Li Feng!"

"You're amazing!"

"Is this your first time making a ceramic tile?"

"This level is even higher than mine."

At this moment, Qian Fusheng, who was standing to the side, stopped what he was doing after looking at the porcelain slab that Li Feng had made.

Then he looked at his own porcelain plate.

The surface of the porcelain slabs made by Qian Fusheng was pitted and uneven. Qian Fusheng did not smooth it out at all with a scraper. Instead, due to his technique, the surface became uneven.

It looks a bit out of place.

At this moment, Qian Fusheng felt like crying but had no tears.

He thinks.

We were studying together.

But why is there such a big difference?
They are all people interacting with each other.

But why are the differences so big?

This made Qian Fusheng feel very uncomfortable.

At this moment, Wang Liu walked to Qian Fusheng's side, patted Qian Fusheng on the shoulder, and then comforted him.

"brother!".

"You've seen Li Feng's learning speed."

"Otherwise, Master Lin wouldn't have applied for performance bonuses for him."

“It takes a long time to learn drawing before you can see any results, and he’s only been there for a few days!”

"So that's why!"

"Some things cannot be compared."

"If you compare yourself to others, you'll definitely be the one who feels bad."

Qian Fusheng sighed.

"When you weren't comforting me, I just felt a little sad, but now that you've said this, I feel like I'm a complete failure."

Li Feng found the conversation between the two somewhat amusing.

However, this is also due to the user's familiarity with the system.

You can increase your proficiency by practicing or working hard.

But I can't tell them these things.

So he could only smile at the two of them and tell Qian Fusheng not to worry about it.

And Li Feng told Qian Fusheng.

I'll learn it eventually, I'll learn it eventually.

I just started making money a little earlier than you.

After Li Feng's encouragement and guidance.

Qian Fusheng then came to a realization.

After all, not everyone in the factory is like Li Feng.

Moreover, Li Feng had only started earning money a little earlier than me.

So now Qian Fusheng feels much better.

Wang Liu observed this situation.

He didn't know what to say.

However, he believes that Li Feng may complete his apprenticeship in less than a year.

He could tell just by looking at how fast Li Feng was learning.

I wonder if Li Feng will become a potter or a painter in the future.

This piqued Wang Liu's curiosity.

Although there are people in the factory who can throw pottery and paint.

But others are learning blue and white porcelain.

But Li Feng studied pastel painting.

However, Wang Liu did not ask Li Feng this question.

Wang Liu felt that perhaps Li Feng himself hadn't thought this through.

Therefore, it's best not to ask at this time.

(End of this chapter)