China painting resembles oil painting, in that color is applied with oil base media using some of the same type brushes. China paint is fine ground minerals, used pure or in combination to produce a multitude of colors. China paint is sold in either vials of powder or flat containers of the oil mixed form. The china painter thins the china paint mixture with media to make a smoother and easier color application. There are many different media mixtures available for china painting, grounding or penwork.
Some china painters make their own media.
Usually a china painted piece is painted in stages. Thus making it permanent. Therefore, they are more easily worn off. Some china painters create one-fire pieces. However, the majority set up the pattern capturing the white and highlights in the first fire.