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Ceramic Decorating Techniques
Explore the possibilities of decorating ceramics with techniques used at the forming stage through final glazing and even post-firing methods. Interested in trying out terra sigillata techniques? You'll find recipes and techniques here. Have you always wanted to try your hand at raku firing? You can learn more about it here. Wondering what is possible with commercial glazes? Look no farther! We've gathered myriad articles on myriad ceramic decorating techniques here in one place. The possibilities of what can be done with clay, ceramic tools, materials and a little imagination are virtually endless, and you'll find even more inspiration in the Ceramic Arts Daily Bookstore.
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November 2, 2009
Adding Dimension to Stenciled Imagery on Pottery
Stenciling is a great decorative technique for pottery. In the latest issue of Pottery Making Illustrated, Ann Ruel shares her ideas for getting a stenciled look with more dimension. I thought her ideas were pretty nifty so I have excerpted from the article in today's post.
October 7, 2009
2-D to 3-D: Using Image Transfer and Mishima Techniques to Make Drawings on Pottery
In today's post, an excerpt from the November/December 2009 issue of Pottery Making Illustrated, Molly Hatch explains how she uses image transfer and Mishima techniques to create her drawings in clay. Plus she shares her slip and engobe recipes.
October 5, 2009
Make Your Pottery Shine Without Glaze: Sumi Von Dassow Explains the Basics of Burnishing Pottery
In today's post, an excerpt from her new book Low Firing and Burnishing, Sumi Von Dassow explains the basics of burnishing pottery, from the tools to use, to a couple of basic techniques.
September 16, 2009
The Happy Accident: How a Ceramic Artist Turned the Product of a Kiln Firing Mishap into a Gem
Today potter Mary Cay shares the results of her two years of trial and error trying to cultivate "kiln jewels." She also shares the glaze recipes and instruction you'll need to make your own glaze kiln jewels.
August 14, 2009
In this clip, Robin goes over a couple of surface decoration techniques; one involving clay slip and fiber, and the other involving soft clay. As usual, Robin provides an excellent, clear explanation of these nifty little techniques and should inspire you to go directly to your studio at the first opportunity!
July 31, 2009
In today's video, potters Don Ellis and Randy Brodnax demonstrate a couple of variations on the same technique in tandem. The technique involves using sodium silicate and a heat gun to quickly harden the outside surface of a freshly thrown pot. Then the pot can be stretched from the inside, creating a lovely cracked texture on the surface.
July 13, 2009
Potter Lorna Meaden explains the technique she uses to achieve the super fine (in more ways than one) pin-striped decoration that graces a lot of her pots.
April 15, 2009
A Piece of Cake: Clay Applique Decoration on Functional Pottery
Potter Kari Radasch shares her technique for the applique decoration on her pottery. Plus she shares her clay, slip and glaze recipes.
April 3, 2009
Handle Making Video: Mixing Media - An Introduction to Making Cane Handles for Functional Pottery
In today's pottery video, potter Shelia Clennell gives us and introduction into making handmade cane and reed handles for your functional pots.
February 9, 2009
The Old Mud-Pie Dilemma: Making Ceramic Art and Making Ends Meet
Today, we’ll show you some of Tom and Elaine Coleman’s work and talk about their working methods. Plus we’ll throw in a couple of the Coleman’s glaze recipes for good measure.
December 15, 2008
Magnificent Marbling: Using Colored Slips to Create Marbled Patterning on Pottery
Slip, glorious slip. This versatile liquid form of clay can be used in a multitude of different ways to create and embellish ceramic art. The upcoming issue of Pottery Making Illustrated features a fantastic article on using colored slips to create a marbleized look on pottery, which is reminiscent of Staffordshire-style English marbled slipware. Today, I thought I would present an excerpt to give you a sneak peek of the article. Enjoy!
December 3, 2008
Inspired by Terra Sigillata: A New Twist on an Ancient Surface Technique
When I think of terra sigillata, I think of the soft, satin surfaces of low-fired earthenware, like Greek red and black ware that still has that great surface sheen. But Anne Fløche has taken terra sigillata in a different direction. She's allowed herself to use it in a way that goes against tradition, but is true to her own inspiration and way of working. This is a classic example of taking a tried-and-true technique and making it personal. Whether you're using terra sigillata in a traditional manner or pushing it to try something new, Fløche provides a great tutorial (and a recipe) for making this versatile material.
September 29, 2008
I think we've all heard it said that the simplest solution is the best. And while I always make it a rule to never deal in absolutes, today's tip does seem to prove this adage true. Brought to us by Sumi von Dassow, this surface-decoration technique involves just a few tools and materials that I'll bet you already have in your studio. And like most simple techniques, a little experimentation can result in many new ways to add interest and depth to your work. But Sumi doesn't stop there; she also includes some general tips for working with wax resist, and these will help you regardless of which wax technique you use. Enjoy!
September 15, 2008
A Potter Shares a Simple Technique for Making Texture Stamps with Natural Objects
Woodstock, New York, ceramic artist Meg Oliver make simple plaster texture stamps out of found objects. To make the stamps she uses to create texture on her pottery, Meg usually takes a nice walk in the woods and picks up objects that will make interesting marks in clay . Then, she uses pinch pots and plaster to transform them into fun, free-form stamps. Set aside an afternoon this Fall to try this project for yourself!
September 8, 2008
Slip Trailing for Beginners: A Primer on a Great Ceramics Decorating Technique
When many potters or ceramic artists think of slip, they think of it as the "glue" that is used to attach one piece of clay to another. But slip is one of those ceramic items that has many different functions - from slipping and scoring, to slip casting forms to decorating, slip is an essential tool for the pottery studio.
July 23, 2008
In today’s feature, Philadelphia ceramic artist Paul Andrew Wandless gives a primer on using decals on ceramic work. Paul discusses the various options of decal papers that can be used on ceramics and pottery.
July 21, 2008
Beyond Wax Resist: Alternatives for Interesting Resist Decoration on Your Ceramic Art
Belgian potter Russel Fouts has done a great deal of experimenting with various “permeable” resists and today, he shares some of the results of his experimentation.
July 7, 2008
Have you ever wanted to draw imagery on a vessel or sculpture, but been frustrated by the fact that the surface isn’t a flat piece of paper? Today, Paul Andrew Wandless shares his simple paper-slip-transfer technique, which can eliminate this frustration. It also can add a nice print-like quality to your work. Give it a try in your studio!
April 16, 2008
Stenciled and Stretched: Ceramic Decorating Technique Offers a New Twist on Stenciling on Clay
Stencils can be a very effective means of applying repetitive surface decoration to ceramic surfaces, especially for the drawing impaired (like me). Ivoryton, Connecticut, ceramic artist Hayne Bayless takes stenciling one step farther in his hand built pottery. He takes advantage of clay’s malleability to stretch and alter his stenciled design before constructing his pieces. Today, author Scott Ruescher describes the stenciling and stretching process as he observed it on a visit to Hayne’s pottery studio. Maybe it will inspire a new twist in your work!
April 9, 2008
I am a big fan of old buildings. I love the architectural details that are so often left out in more contemporary structures. Successfully incorporating architecturally inspired details into my clay work is something I have always wanted to do, but still have not quite worked out as well as I’d like. Portland, Oregon, ceramic artist Ann Selberg, however, does this extremely well. Her work is inspired by the architectural terra cotta and metal ornamentation on the buildings by Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan, which she passed on daily walks while living in Chicago a few years back. Today, Ann shares her techniques for creating her precisely carved, beautifully glazed, architecturally inspired pots.
