In this series of entries, I am sharing some of the discoveries I am making as I try to add texture and interest to my pots.
Some techniques I have been experimenting with are:
- Slip trailing
- Carving
- Brush strokes
- Tape and wax resist
Small plate - opaque red and white glaze; black glaze applied on top with thick brush
Technical – Technical logistics include types of glazes and brushes. Although this has been the easiest of the logistics to resolve, it eluded us for a while. We kept trying to paint fine lines with thick brushes – that doesn’t work. Fine lines require very fine brushes.
Small plate - design with slip and underglaze applied with fine brush
Method – The preferred method is to paint underglaze on greenware because it can be wiped it off if I make a mistake. After the bisque-fire, it won’t smudge when I dip the pot in another glaze. I have also used underglaze on top of glaze which is good for lines but not as good for designs.
Glaze response – Understanding the properties each glaze exhibits has been key (this is a prevalent truth). Translucent and clear glazes allow the underglaze to show. In order to use opaque glazes, brush strokes need to be applied on top of the opaques.
Design – All that the factors I identified with slip, carving, and resist are true with brush strokes – what patterns, how do the patterns relate to the rest of the pot, how to designate a space on the pot. However, this application demands a bit more representative drawing skills.
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