Table of Contents
Sgraffito (Italian: [zɡrafˈfiːto]; plural: sgraffiti) is a technique either of wall decor, produced by applying layers of plaster tinted in contrasting colours to a moistened surface, or in pottery, by applying to an unfired ceramic body two successive layers of contrasting slip or glaze, and then in either case
What is the sgraffito process?
Sgraffito, (Italian: “scratched”), in the visual arts, a technique used in painting, pottery, and glass, which consists of putting down a preliminary surface, covering it with another, and then scratching the superficial layer in such a way that the pattern or shape that emerges is of the lower colour.
How do you make sgraffito?
Sgraffito (in Italian “to scratch”) is a decorating pottery technique produced by applying layers of color or colors (underglazes or colored slips) to leather hard pottery and then scratching off parts of the layer(s) to create contrasting images, patterns and texture and reveal the clay color underneath.
What is the difference between Mishima and sgraffito?
What is Mishima? Mishima on the other hand, is essentially the opposite of sgraffito, as you inlay the slip or underglaze, or fill in the color, rather than scratch the top layer away to reveal it. You can add additional colors to the piece to finish the design before firing.
What is Obvara firing?
Obvara, sometimes called Baltic Raku, is an Eastern European firing technique originated in the Baltic region. The hot (1650 degree) piece of pottery is taken out of the kiln and quickly immersed into a fermented liquid, made with water, flour, yeast, and sugar.
What is underglaze in pottery?
Underglazes are decorative colours applied to ware before the application of glaze, or they can be put over glaze (prior to firing), they can also be considered as a “paint for clay”.
Can you sgraffito on bone dry clay?
If I’ve read correctly, you can use sgraffito on leather hard or bone dry greenware as well as bisqued pieces.
Can you wash off underglaze?
I mix my underglaze with a little water to make it the consistency of milk. When you’re finished painting a light, even coat, remove the unwanted underglaze with a damp studio sponge (5), making sure to rinse the sponge often. Doing this keeps the undesired colorant off the surface of your pot.
Can you do sgraffito on air dry clay?
For this project, we’ll follow in the footsteps of potters in making sgraffito bowls (minus kilns or firing glazes). Instead, the bowls are made with store-bought air dry clay that is similar in texture and behavior as ceramic earthenware clay and Tsukineko’s All-Purpose Ink.
What is Mishima technique?
Mishima is a technique of inlaying slip, underglaze, or even clay into a contrasting clay body, the main clay body of the pottery piece. This technique allows for extremely fine, intricate design work with hard, sharp edges that can be difficult to reliably replicate in any other way.
What is sgraffito What are the benefits for using this technique?
Like stucco, terrazzo, and Venetian plaster, sgraffito is used as a way to add texture and depth to a surface. With a technique like Venetian plaster, for example, plaster is applied with a trowel instead of a hand tool, allowing for far less control over the design of the finished product.
Can you sgraffito Bisqueware?
Making sgraffito pottery involves scratching through a top decorative layer to expose the underlying clay body. The decorative layer can be underglaze, slip, or engobe. However, the sgraffito technique can be used on bisqueware too.
Is there a rule about color when creating sgraffito?
The sgraffito technique involves scratching off a top layer to reveal a bottom layer, so you’ll need to add at least two different colors. Even if you’d like the bottom layer to be the natural color of the clay, a clear underglaze should be used so that the ceramic fires evenly.
What does Mishima mean?
Mishimanoun. (ceramics) A slip inlay style of pottery adopted from Korea, probably in the 16th century. Etymology: Mishima pottery is named either after the Japanese Island of Mishima, where the original pottery was transported from Korea, or after a radiating character of almanacs made in Mishima, Japan.
Can you use underglaze on Bisqueware?
3. Underglaze on Bisqueware. Many commercial underglazes are made to work on greenware and bisqueware. This means underglazes are super versatile and can potentially save you time if you are running a tight firing schedule.
What does bisque firing do?
The goal of bisque firing is to convert greenware to a durable, semi-vitrified porous stage where it can be safely handled during the glazing and decorating process. It also burns out carbonaceous materials (organic materials in the clay, paper, etc.).
What is inlay in pottery?
Inlay Ceramics Definition: A decorative technique where a pattern is carved into the clay at the leather hard stage and a clay slip of a contrasting color is laid into the decoration. When inlaid slip dries, the excess is scraped washed away with a sponge to reveal the pattern.
What glaze do you use for sgraffito?
Typically a clear or semi-transparent glaze is used over a carved sgraffito design to allow the contrast to to show. Here’s how to do it: After your piece has reached leatherhard, and you have finished trimming it, paint a coat of slip onto the pot while it is centered and turning on the wheel. Do not paint the rim.
How do you use sgraffito paper?
Enhancing Clay Surfaces with Sgraffito, Mishima and Color Sponge on Black Velvet Underglaze. Select or draw a design. Scribble on the back of the design with a soft pencil will help the design transfer. Attach the design to the clay and trace. Remove the paper to see the image. Outline the image.
What tools are used for sgraffito?
The Best Sgraffito Tools for Experimentations in Sculpture Kemper Tools WLS Double Ended Wire Loop Sgraffito. Jack Richeson Wire Loop Sgraffito. SE 12-Piece Stainless Steel Wax Carvers Set. HTS Stainless Steel Hollow Tip Carver Wax & Clay Sculpting Tool Set. Xiem Studio Tools Ultimate Tools for Clay Artists.
How do you make colored slip for sgraffito?
To make colored slip, you mix a powdered oxide or stain with clay slip. The amount of stain added is normally between 5 and 10% of the weight of the clay in the slip. The best percentage depends on the color of the stain. And how deep you want the color of the slip to be.
