technique: Sgraffito
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Prices include shipping, and I will only ship to the contiguous 48 states of the United States.
Sgraffito involves scratching through a layer of slip or underglaze to reveal the clay body beneath, creating a decorative design. This technique can be done on leather-hard clay or bisque-fired ware. The process generally involves applying a layer of colored slip or underglaze, allowing it to dry, and then carefully carving away portions to expose the contrasting color of the clay.
Up for Sale in December 2025
$125
This vase is on display until December 2025.
Not For Sale
For my first attempt at sgraffito through colored slip with mason stain, I created 3 different mugs, and this is one of them. Since colored slip doesn’t mix like paint, I was able to get these really need striations, and this came out exactly like I had hoped.
For my first attempt at sgraffito through colored slip with mason stain, I created 3 different mugs, and this is one of them. I free-handed this design of dandelions, and I’m pretty pleased with my first attempt at these. The clear glaze was way too thick, though, so I got bubbles that I had to file down before this was safe to use.
For my first attempt at sgraffito through colored slip with mason stain, I created 3 different mugs, and this is one of them. I learned that you can, indeed, brush on mason stain way too thinly. Also, the clear glaze was way too thick, so I got bubbles that I had to file down before this was safe to use.
Air
This is my depiction of Air in pottery, carved in the sgraffito style with circle spirals all over. The colors were created by mixing mason stain with colored slip and painting it on before the vase was bisque-fired.
Fire
This is my depiction of Fire in pottery, carved in the sgraffito style with triangles of various sizes all over. The colors were created by mixing mason stain with colored slip and painting it on before the vase was bisque-fired.
Water
This is my depiction of Water in pottery, carved in the sgraffito style with concentric ovals all over. Unfortunately, the top warped pretty badly despite my efforts to keep it straight. Create and learn! The colors were created by mixing mason stain with colored slip and painting it on before the vase was bisque-fired.
Works In Progress
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