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March 17, 2010
Scratching the Surface: The Terra Sigillata Clay Tile Paintings of Jenny Mendes
Not even Jenny Mendes herself can explain the mystery of how her imagery makes it out of her subconscious and onto her clay tile paintings. But she can explain the technical details of scratching her drawings into moist clay and layering various colors of terra sigillata to create her rich illustrations. That's exactly what she does in today's post. Enjoy!March 3, 2010
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. I thought this would be a great project for spring!February 17, 2010
Less is More: A Minimalist Approach to Glazing Ceramics
Karen Swyler takes a subtle approach to her glazing, juxtaposing raw white porcelain surfaces with ribbons of shiny clear-glazed lines or small accents of color. Today, in an excerpt from an upcoming Ceramics Monthly profile, she explains her less-is-more glazing technique.January 6, 2010
Layers of Information: How to Build Surface Texture Layer by Layer
Today, I am presenting a small sample of some of the good stuff that will be demonstrated at the Alabama Clay Conference. Annie Chrietzberg explains how Lana Wilson uses bisque stamps, textured materials, rolling, and paddling to create layered texture on her work. She also explains her darting technique for creating a slab-built platter.January 4, 2010
Today we are launching another cool free gift: Ceramic Carving Tool Techniques: Bringing the Ceramic Surface to Life. This one is all about carving into clay and the best tools and techniques for doing so. In today's post, an excerpt from our new download, potter Ann Ruel gives us the ins and outs of carving low relief designs into wet clay.December 18, 2009
Ceramics Decorating Video: How to Mix and Apply Terra Sigillata for Burnishing Pottery
In today's video, an excerpt from her new DVD Pit Firing and Burnishing, Sumi von Dassow demonstrates how to mix and apply terra sigillata to burnish into a beautiful sheen.October 14, 2009
Thin Slips: The Key to Decorating Pottery Surfaces with Slips in the Bisque State
Potter Terry Gess uses slip to decorate his pottery surfaces when they are in the bisqueware state. He likes the freedom that comes with knowing he can experiment and if he doesn't like the results he can just wash it off and start over. But there are technical challenges to this method. He explains those today and shares three of his slip recipes.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.September 9, 2009
Master potter and impeccable craftsman Jeffrey Nichols talks about finding one's voice by developing your techniques and your ideas over a period of time. He also demonstrates his accumulated skills by sharing his technique for making a faceted teapot and using his unique decorating technique of layered underglazes.August 31, 2009
Getting the Most out of Ceramic Glazes and Underglazes Available for Download
Today we have another great download available for Ceramic Arts Daily Subscribers (insert drumroll): Getting the Most out of Ceramic Glazes and Underglazes: Using Commercial Ceramic Glazes and Underglazes to Achieve Color, Depth, and Complexity. And Im going to give you a sneak peek right here with an excerpt.August 24, 2009
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.August 21, 2009
Wheel Throwing Video: A Simple Pottery Making Technique Turned Upside Down
Brace yourselves, Ceramic Arts Daily readers. Today's video is going to turn your world upside down! Potter Mark Peters takes a simple pottery wheel throwing technique and turns it on its head. Watch the Video!August 19, 2009
Color Splash: How to Make Vibrant Bursts of Color on Pottery Using Ceramic Colorants and Slip
Annie Chrietzberg explains Lana Wilson's process for decorating pottery with colored slips and shares the clear cone 6 glaze recipe she uses to finish these pieces.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 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.June 26, 2009
In today's video clip, which is excerpted from his DVD Making Marks (a video adaptation of his popular book), Robin Hopper demonstrates some great fluting, sgraffito and wax resist painting techniques.June 10, 2009
Brushwork on Ceramics: A Multitude of Decorative Possibilities for Pottery
Robin Hopper talks about the importance of a good brush and demonstrates one type of maiolica-style on-glaze decoration that can be created on pottery using different colored glazes, a brush and a slip trailer.May 29, 2009
Ceramics Decorating Video: Decorating Pottery with Colored Slips
Mitch Lyons returns today with an excerpt from his full-length DVD Handbuilding with Mitch Lyons. In it, he shares some great ideas for decorating pottery with colored slips.April 24, 2009
Tile Making Video: How to Make Relief Decoration on Tile Using Shellac Resist
In today’s video, tile maker Frank Giorgini demonstrates a great shellac-resist technique to create relief decoration.April 22, 2009
Slip, Engobe, or Underglaze? Robin Hopper Demystifies Three Common Pottery Materials
Today, Robin Hopper explains the similarities and differences between slips, engobes, and underglazes and gives some ideas for how to use these materials to decorate pottery and ceramic art. Plus he shares three recipes for basic engobes.March 18, 2009
Patience, Patience: Using Slips and Stains to Add Detailed Decoration to Bone Dry Ceramic Sculpture
Ceramic sculptor Scott Ziegler's shares his unconventional ceramic decorating technique using cone 6 slips and commercial stains and explains how he arrived at this process.January 12, 2009
Deliberate Cracks: Heating and Stretching to Create Crackled Texture on Pottery
Sometimes I feel like I was born in the wrong era because I just love old things: antiques, weathered old buildings, vintage clothing. If you can relate, then you’ll love today’s feature because we’re going to show you how to create a crackled, craggy texture on your pottery. Canadian potter Robin Hopper explains how some heating, some stretching and a little sodium silicate can transform a freshly thrown pot into what looks like a weathered antique.January 9, 2009
Ceramics Decorating Video: Slip Cones - Easy-to-Make Pottery Tools for Precise Slip Trailing
In today's video, ceramic artist Charan Sachar shows us how to make a foolproof and ergonomic slip trailer out of some inexpensive materials. Watch the video now! and then make some for yourself. We've also included some step-by-step written instruction on the process.December 29, 2008
One of the things I really like about clay is how easily it meshes with printmaking, another art form I really dig. I remember making linocut prints back in grade school art class with Mrs. Duffy. It was one of my favorite projects and perhaps where my love of printmaking and texture first emerged. The January/February 2009 issue of Pottery Making Illustrated (hot off the presses!) got me thinking about linocuts again. Today, we'll present an excerpt from Annie Chrietzberg's article featuring potter Cynthia Guajardo's linocut technique, a fantastic method for creating repeatable customized texture on pottery.December 24, 2008
Pencil Pushing: A Homemade Pottery Tool for Stippled Texture
I've said it before and I'll say it again: I love when potters come up with clever homemade tools. When perusing the latest issue of Ceramics Monthly, I came across yet another great idea for a homemade texture tool for clay. It seems #2 pencils aren't just for standardized tests anymore! Studio potter Emily Rossheim and her apprentice Tom Marrinson use a bundle of them to create stippled texture on her work. Today, we'll explain how they create and use these low-tech but super cool tools. I don't know about you, but I'm already scanning my office looking for other things to bundle together for texture tools.November 3, 2008
Adding Depth to Your Ceramic Surfaces with Commercial Glazes, Part II
Last week, we shared one way to use a mixture of commercial glazes and custom-mixed glazes to make interesting surfaces on your pottery. Today, we’ll share two more effects Lisa Bare Culp has come up with using pouring and layering to create visual texture. She also uses a tactile texture to add another layer of interest and complexity. Try these techniques with the same glazes she uses or with your own. Happy testing!October 8, 2008
Creating Nerikomi Blocks: Decorating with Colored Clay Patterns
Before your fearless Ceramic Arts Daily co-host Jennifer Harnetty went on maternity leave, she compiled several features, like this one, that she thought you would enjoy while she was out. It's like she packed us all lunches for several weeks. Something tells me she's going to fit the role of Mom really well. In this feature, Faith Rahill walks us step-by-step through the creation of a colored block of clay that she slices and uses as an inlay pattern on a platter. This is one of those techniques that is simple and straightforward, but requires a lot of attention to detail. Luckily, Faith covers all the bases for us so that we can plan for success. Enjoy!September 3, 2008
The Figure in Clay: Ceramic Sculptor Debra Fritts Gives a Sneak Peek of Potters Council Workshop
At the workshop, Debra demonstrated her handbuilding technique, which combines modeling, pinching and coiling for small figurative ceramic sculptures. After small sculptures are constructed, surface decoration was discussed and attendees had the hands-on opportunity to experiment with slips, underglazes, impressions and mark-making to start a surface on wet clay. Today, Debra has offered a glimpse into the surface decoration techniques she went go over at the workshop.August 20, 2008
Perfect Perforations: Drawing Inspiration from the Landscape to Make Slab-Built Ceramic Sculpture
In her latest body of work, Elaine Parks has been experimenting with puncturing clay slabs as a nod to the shapes she sees in the landscape around her, from pores in a rock to scar holes from mining, which are prevalent in the area. Today, she shares her slab building process and how she has perfected her perforations.August 18, 2008
Layering Commercial Underglazes and Silk Screened Images to Create Contemporary but Rustic Ceramics
Inspired by 16th-century French potter Bernard Palissy, whose creations swam, slithered and crawled with creatures from nature, John McCuistion uses modern ceramic tools to create platters that evoke the same rustic flavor as Palissy's did hundreds of years ago. John layers commercial underglazes and silk-screened images and then uses a unique washing technique to create his rich surfaces.August 13, 2008
From the Laundry Room to the Clay Studio: Readers Share Clever Tips for Pottery Tools
Today we bring you a couple of great reader-submitted tips for ceramic tools. These tips involve items that you probably already own, but never thought to use for clay studio purposes. Following a laundry theme, ceramic artists Ken Magee of Talahassee, Florida, and Peggy Breidenbach of Indianapolis, Indiana, share ideas for repurposing tools usually used for drying clothes for use in the ceramics studio.August 6, 2008
Johanna De Maine: Creating Bright Textured Surfaces with Raised Enamels, Lusters and a Sandblaster
Though fired to the same temperatures (about 1472°F/800° C), raised enamels differ from china paints in that they have more body and leave a raised line. They are a mixture of low-fire frit, clay and tin oxide. While china paint suppliers carry them premixed, De Maine prefers to make her own.June 27, 2008
Pottery Decorating Video: Using Handmade Bisque Stamps to Apply Texture to Platter Rims
Today’s Video Tip of the Week comes to us from Mark Peters of Pine Root Pottery in North Carolina. Mark takes us, from start to finish, through the process of adding decorative texture to freshly thrown platter rims with bisque stamps. And he makes it look sooooo easy! This is another great technique if you use glazes that break or pool in texture. Give it a try! -Jennifer Harnetty, editor.June 16, 2008
Polymer Clay Texture Stamps: Easy to Make Tools for Applying Texture to Ceramic Sculpture or Pottery
Virginia Cartwright's polymer clay stamps are quick and easy to make and even more durable than bisque stamps.June 11, 2008
Rolling, Rolling, Rolling: Making Roulettes to Add Texture and Depth to Your Pottery
Ceramic artist Andi Fasimpaur explains her simple technique for making roulettes, or rolling stamps, for decorating pottery and ceramic sculpture.May 21, 2008
Low-Tech Silk Screens: An Easy Way to Repeat Images on Ceramic Art
Today’s feature comes to us from Ceramic Arts Daily subscriber C.A. Sanger of Waterville, Kansas. She was inspired to send this technique when she read Brad Menninga's article “Making Custom Silk Screens for Ceramics,” which ran a couple of weeks ago. Sanger offers this tip as a way to make simple silk screens with inexpensive materials you might already have around the house or studio. Be sure to try combining this process with the technique explained in Susan Kotulak’s feature “From Flat to Round: Screen Printing Glaze Patterns onto Pottery.” I am sure it will open up new creative directions in your work!May 7, 2008
Making Custom Silk Screens for Ceramics: Printing Process Opens Up Pottery Decorating Possibilities
So readers, after Monday’s feature From Flat to Round: Screen Printing Glaze Patterns onto Pottery, are you ready to try using foam to silk screen glaze onto pots? Well, as promised, today we are going to cover the steps in making a custom silk screen so you can be well on your way. Portland, Oregon, ceramic artist Brad Menninga explains the process below.May 5, 2008
From Flat to Round: Screen Printing Glaze Patterns onto Pottery
Today’s ceramic technique was adapted from another artistic process: screen-printing textiles. Printing onto clay is not a new technique. A browse through the Pottery Making Illustrated back issues, including the most recent issue, turns up lots of articles on various ways to print on clay. But the following method was a new twist that I hadn't seen before. Though she had started out her artistic career as a potter, life’s twists and turns caused Susan Kotulak to shift gears and pursue textile arts. But the clay called her back and she now works actively in both media. It’s no surprise, then, that having this dual focus would eventually lead to the two processes influencing one another. This super cool technique ...March 26, 2008
On Monday, we brought you Joan Carcia’s saggar-firing technique. Today, as promised, we’ll share the other secret to her success with this technique: her terra sigillata recipe. Enjoy!March 24, 2008
This week, we will take a look at how Carcia uses terra sigillata, vegetation, oxides and salts to make her vividly colored work.March 5, 2008
"Cheryl," by David Gamble. Layering glazes and multiple firings can result in unusual effects in both color and surface. Explore using different base glazes layered with both light and heavy applications of glazes and stains on topFebruary 25, 2008
Mixing it Up: Using Stains and Underglazes to Create a Patina
The bold, expressive line work and warm color palette of Rohrersville, Maryland, artist Hunt Prothro’s work are born out of visits to Paleolithic cave sites in Southern France. Susan Chappelear recently attended a workshop given by Hunt Prothro at the College of Southern Maryland and gives us these details on how Prothro creates his beautiful patina.February 13, 2008
Today, ceramic artist Elina Brandt Hansen explains the method she came up with for getting the bright color she wanted out of her stoneware clay. By dressing her work up in colored porcelain "clothing," she was able to get the look she was after without breaking the bank.February 11, 2008
Mark Richardson shares his technique for getting peel-away slip onto his pots, keeping the slip intact through the raku firing and reduction process, and then removing it easily at the end.February 4, 2008
Using the Transfer Method to Create Interesting Glaze Patterns on Pottery
As detailed in the direct and stencil approaches shown previously, glaze application methods are as infinite as our imagination. Nearly every item around the studio or house has the potential to be a glaze applicator. It just takes a little imagination to see the potential, and experimenting is key to discovering new ideas. Today, Frank James Fisher will present the transfer method that he uses to create beautiful patterning on his pots.
