How to paint the Dobra washbasin at Bathco's Atelier

In an increasingly automated world, the value of handmade products is gaining strength. At Bathco, we demonstrate this with every piece that comes out of our Atelier, the artistic workshop where the sinks are transformed into unique works of art through the manual intervention of our artists. A clear example is the washbasin Dobra, The decoration is entirely handmade using traditional techniques with ceramic pigments.

A porcelain washbasin as a canvas

The process begins with the application of a base coat in chocolate tones that covers the entire exterior surface of the basin, in its purest state: unglazed porcelain. This layer, rich in nuances, is applied with careful brushstrokes that respect the drying rate and properties of the ceramic glaze.

Using brushes and sponges, the artists apply liquid ceramic pigments carefully prepared. These pigments are formulated to react to the heat of the oven, which means that the final appearance is not visible at the time of application.
In this phase, different tones are combined which, after firing, will give rise to a rich range of browns, golds and warm shades that characterize the chocolate/gold model.

Transformation in the oven

Once the painting work has been completed, the washbasin goes into the oven. There, at extremely high temperatures, the magic happens: the pigments react to the heat, vitrify and reveal their definitive color.

It is at this point that the design acquires its true identity. The combination of the chocolate with the reflections creates a striking visual effect, which gains even more strength under the light. Beyond the color, what stands out is the visual texture achieved with the sponge.

A functional and decorative piece

No two painted Dobra washbasins are alike. Although a basic design is respected, the manual technique means that each piece has slight variations that make it exclusive. No two washbasins are alike: that is the essence of the Atelier.