Sgraffito/ Plate Project

Inspiration- Video notes on the use of the sgraffito technique

Process

For this project, I decided to form a plate using a slab-rolled piece of wedged clay. I then used a metal pedestal to place my slab over and cut around the circular surface to get a perfect circle to begin my plate. I then let my piece set and dry a bit between two solid boards and fabric. After drying a bit, I then used a bowl or jar to trace the mid section and rim of the plate. I then began cutting out little bits of clay in the circle I traced, using a sharp clay tool. After this, I spent a lot of time carefully layering my royal blue underglaze (Speedball) over both sides of my plate, roughly around 5 layers. After letting my underglaze dry, I looked up a reference to tribal Aztec designs. After finding the right design, I began using light pencil marks and a ruler to cut my plate into 4 or 5 sections. After this, I got ideas from my reference to begin tracing designs into the different sections. After entering a greenware kiln, I then layered around 2 to 3 good coats of Amaco clear gloss glaze over the entire plate. My plate then entered a bisque kiln to reach completion.

Judgment

I am extremely impressed with the final result and am excited to expand my skills in this fun technique of making designs. I am surprised though, by how lucky I was that my designs turned out so precise; best results using this technique are achieved if you keep the piece covered and lightly hydrated. I kept my plate in an opened bag, but still got the designs I was hoping for, if not better.

                                             Below is my reference for the Aztec designs

  Beginning Stage

 

 

                                                                        Final Piece

 

Flower Project

For this project, I decided to make a flower, with the petals and middle piece. I originally was planning on joining the individual pieces, then score and slip the flower on my thrown vessel project, but the flower pieces were already dry and couldn't be joined. With the pieces being apart, I think the flower is now abstract and interesting. I used crystallite glazes on each piece, and chose each glaze to accent the others. I really enjoy the different shades of green and blue and like the way my interesting flower turned out.
Below are pictures of my final flower project....

Vessel/ Wheel-thrown Project

For this project, I needed to make a vessel that can hold a couple cups of water. I decided to try my hand at the wheel and received help from Ms. Thompson with centering and opening up my piece. I then finished the final shaping on the rim and pulled the rim out to give it an interesting curve. After going into the kiln for the first time, part of one of the bottom corners sheared off during its green ware firing process. I decided not to sand out the bottom because I could see air bubbles in the bottom, along with the fact that the part sheared off cut deep into the piece, leaving me with little room to do anything further. I can still put this to good use with either being an abstract pottery piece, or even something helpful like a pot to put a plant in.
Below are pictures of my final piece.....