In black-figure painting

In black-figure painting, a technique popular in ancient Greek ceramics, artists applied a black slip to the clay surface, which was then incised to reveal the red color of the clay beneath. This method allowed for intricate illustrations and details, depicting scenes from mythology, daily life, and athletic competitions. After the painting was completed, the pottery was fired in a kiln using a specific firing process to achieve the contrast between the glossy black figures and the red background. Black-figure pottery flourished from the 7th to the 5th centuries BCE, before giving way to the later red-figure technique.