What is the difference between the black and the red figure vase painting technique.

1.     Black technique was the oldest developed around 700 BC in Corinth, while red techniques was developed in Athens in late 6th century (530) until the 3rd century BC2.     Black figure style refer to black figures on a red/orangish background and red figure style refers to red figures on black background.3.     This aesthetic outcome it was the result of a well developed firing process during which the maker was carefully monitoring the conditions into he kiln (temperature, carbon dioxite etc). Initially the potter was applying a fine clay sleep with different levels of consistency in the areas where he wanted to achieve a black colour. During the firing process the slip changed permanently to a glossy substance sealing inside the carbon dioxiate turning the figures or the background to black. This was a meticulous process consist of three parts oxidizing, reducing and reoxidizing during which the potters where achieving the right colour regulating the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxite in the kiln.4.     Before applying slip the potters were using various sharp tools to incise details on the figures or add other colours such as white.5.     This fine decorated pottery is extremely important for archaeological research as it helps archaeologist to date the archaeological context in which they were found and reveal cultural, social and economic aspects of ancient societies.

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Answered by Alexis T. Classical Civilisation tutor

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