Once a piece is created, the drawing/design is etched when the clay is at leather-hard stage. After the piece is completely dry the drawing is painted using underglaze. Then it goes to the first (bisque) firing. The second part of the painting process is filling the grooves/lines with underglaze - usually black - and wiping out the excess, making the outline more visible. When all the painting/glazing is done, the piece is covered with clear glaze and it is fired again.