SGRAFFITO......
...is an Italian word that means "to scratch".
Sgraffito 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.
Sgraffito 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.
OBJECTIVES:
- Understand the process in creating a sgraffito style ceramic artwork
- Understand the glazing and firing process in ceramics
- Understand how to create a design with positive and negative space.
- Carving clay with control and craftsmanship
- Understand how to use underglaze and glaze in different stages
WHAT TO DO....
- In your sketchbook, create 3 different designs. Submit to Schoology as a PDF
- Once you decide which design you like, grab a 4x4 paper create your design in this paper with detail. You will use this to trace your design onto the clay.
- Roll out a slab and cut out your shape (4x4 tile or circle). Place template on top of clay and cut out.
- Apply 3 coats of a colored underglaze. (black or indigo blue)
- Place drawing over your tile and trace your design
- Start to carve your design in to the tile using metal clay tools.
- Work gently on your tile to ensure that they do not scratch off too much glaze and keep some of the mid tones apparent in the work.
- After the first firing, coat finished piece with clear gloss and glaze fire.
ADDITIONAL TIPS:
- Try to have your image display 50/50 black and white values.
Glaze vs. Underglaze:
- Glaze is applied to bisque fired pieces and underglaze can be applied to leather hard clay- bisque fired clay
- Glaze is often times glossy and underglaze is mat
- Underglazes can be predictably mixed and glazes cannot be (generally)
- Glaze can seal pottery and make it food safe. Ungerglaze is not food safe
UNDERSTANING POSITIVE AND NEGATICE SPACE....
- Positive space is the space occupied by the image and negative space is the empty areas in between.
- However, with your sgraffito, the image can be black or white depending on whether you decide to carve your negative space or carve the image.
- With your sgraffito piece, the black will be the color of underglaze that you pick and the white will be the space you carve out.
