To many of us, surface texture is an afterthought. We throw or handbuild our pottery and then stamp, scratch or carve texture into the surface. And while we have an idea of how we would like the texture to work with our pot’s design, the two parts of the process (design/construction and surface decoration/finishing techniques) are often separate.

Today potter Dan Gegen explains how he begins working with texture before the construction process even begins, and therefore makes it integral to the design of the pot. He also shares the glaze recipe for the lovely celadon-esque glaze featured on the pot to the left. As Dan explains, all sorts of fun things can happen when you design with texture! Take it away Dan! – Jennifer Harnetty, editor.

One of the greatest challenges for a potter who decorates their work is finding an image or texture that fits the form of the pot. For the past thirteen years, I’ve taught my students to use texture as a design tool. Recently, I started using textured plaster slabs as a way to apply decorative surfaces directly to the clay before the construction process begins. Interesting things happen when the textured surface is manipulated into a vessel form. Textures can overlap one another to create contrast or add visual tension. The result is similar to the way patterned fabric looks when it is made into clothing, except that I am more interested in how the patterns don’t line up on the seams. Often I push the slabs out from the inside of the vessel to create volume, which softens and distorts the surface texture as well.

Discover challenging, complex and unusual pottery making techniques in Throwing and Handbuilding: Forming Techniques in the Ceramic Arts Daily Bookstore!