One plate with Sgraffito and another with Slip Decoration
We will be making a slab about 1/4in thick. Smooth out both sides. Place the slab carefully onto a plate that has been previously covered with the plastic food wrap. Try to not bend the slab too much as the clay has a memory. Cut around the edge of the plate to remove excess clay with the needle tool. Put another plate or a wooden board on top of the clay, so that the plate dries on both sides at the same rate and does not curl.
Once leather hard, paint on one or two coats of underglaze. Let the underglaze dry.
Plan well what you are going to draw: research ideas, sketch them out, use texture drawing techniques such as crosshatching, and be painterly:) Transfer your design onto the plate, by placing your drawing onto the plate and using a pen to trace your drawing onto the underglaze. Keep your drawing to give in when grading the plate.
Carve your design using the sgraffito tools. Don't carve into the clay too much, just remove the underglaze. Use a brush to brush off the underglaze and clay particles. Do not blow (bad to breath in!). Clean up after yourself.
Make sure that the edges of the plate are smooth. Use the Surform tool (big yellow grater tool) to smooth edges. Remember to put your name, date and period on the bottom of your plate. Place on the rack to be bisque-fired.
After your plate has been bisque-fired, you will be adding another glaze onto your plate (a normal glaze, not underglaze). See test tiles to choose what final color you will be getting. Glaze your plate. Be careful to wipe off the bottom of your plate. Place on the glazing shelf to be fired a second time.
When it comes out, please fill out your grading sheet and put your initial drawing with your plate.
Once leather hard, paint on one or two coats of underglaze. Let the underglaze dry.
Plan well what you are going to draw: research ideas, sketch them out, use texture drawing techniques such as crosshatching, and be painterly:) Transfer your design onto the plate, by placing your drawing onto the plate and using a pen to trace your drawing onto the underglaze. Keep your drawing to give in when grading the plate.
Carve your design using the sgraffito tools. Don't carve into the clay too much, just remove the underglaze. Use a brush to brush off the underglaze and clay particles. Do not blow (bad to breath in!). Clean up after yourself.
Make sure that the edges of the plate are smooth. Use the Surform tool (big yellow grater tool) to smooth edges. Remember to put your name, date and period on the bottom of your plate. Place on the rack to be bisque-fired.
After your plate has been bisque-fired, you will be adding another glaze onto your plate (a normal glaze, not underglaze). See test tiles to choose what final color you will be getting. Glaze your plate. Be careful to wipe off the bottom of your plate. Place on the glazing shelf to be fired a second time.
When it comes out, please fill out your grading sheet and put your initial drawing with your plate.
Natalie Blake, one of my favorite Sgraffito, carving artist
