Sgraffito Pottery Set
Assignment
Your assignment is to create a pottery set and use the sgraffito glazing technique for your surface design. You must create a 3 piece set of your choice
Objectives:
I understand the process of sgrafitto
I understand how to create a design with positive and negative space.
I can carve clay with control and craftsmanship
I understand how to use underglaze and glaze in different stages
Art Inspiration:
What is sgraffito?
Sgraffito designs are made by layering contrasting slip or UNDERGLAZE and then scratching through the surface to reveal the lower layer or layers of color.
What is sgraffito? Please read the following article to understand the process of sgraffito pottery.
Underglaze
What is Underglaze?
Underglaze is a method of decorating pottery in which painted decoration is applied to the surface before it is covered with a transparent ceramic glaze and fired in a kiln. Underglazes are made from pigments derived from oxides. They do not contain the silica that creates a shiny or satin glaze and makes your ceramics food and stain safe.
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
Jean Wells Ceramic Artist
Watch this video of her process!
Other Sgraffito Examples:
Understanding Positive and Negative 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.
What makes a pottery set?
A pottery set is a multiple piece design that is created to be cohesive. For example, a set can have different shaped pieces but have the same texture and color design. Essentially, the pieces in the set match in some way. Sets can look different but still fall under the same theme.
Unity vs. Variety
Textures
Themes
Dinner set
Plate, cup or bowl sets:
Planning & Design
Directions: Your assignment is to create a design sketch for each piece in your sketch IN COLOR.
Each design needs to have:
A form as a piece of your set (3+)
A sgraffito design
Color
A detailed drawing of your sgraffito pattern OR a reference photo
Complete the form provided and turn it in on Google Classroom
Skill Builder: Sgraffito Jewelry Piece
Learning Objectives:
Students will learn the sgraffito glazing technique
Directions:
Sketch a design for your jewelry piece
2. Make the piece out of clay - make sure to create a hole to attach your jewelry cord or finding
3. Smooth and let dry to leather hard
4. Paint your piece with UNDERGLAZE
5. Scratch your design out of the surface of the underglaze.
6. Fire and attach a jewelry finding- necklace cord, earing hooks
Process
Cup: Pinch Pot Method
PinchPot.wmvBowl: Slump Mold Method
Step 1: Wedge the clay
Step 2: Roll a slab of clay
Step 3: Drape slab over slump mold
Step 4: Trim extra clay off the bottom with cutting tool
Step 5: Tap clay with stick to form
Step 6: Make a foot or form bottom
Step 7: Smooth out and refine
Video directions:
IMG_7996.MOVPlate: Slab Method
