for the week of October 13, 2019
Sgraffito and Carving
is a form of decoration made by scratching through a surface to reveal a lower layer of a contrasting color, typically done in plaster or stucco on walls, or in slip on ceramics before firing.
is the act of using tools to shape something from a material by scraping away portions of that material. The technique can be applied to any material that is solid enough to hold a form even when pieces have been removed from it, and yet soft enough for portions to be scraped away with available tools.
Here we see a bowl and a container where sgraffito was used to create a design. Note the two colors in each piece.
These pieces were cut all the way through the clay to create an open design.
The open design in these pieces is so they can be lit up. Or you could insert potpourri or maybe have small holes to hold individual flowers or toothpicks or pencils.
Cutouts are done with special cutting tools, some are like cookie cutters, and others are tubes or loops. Also an Exacto knife can be used. Clay must be hard enough to keep its shape but soft enough to cut through without breaking.
Whether carving or doing sgraffito, these techniques are done on greenware. The pieces are very fragile until after they are fired.
I am a novice at doing this but am willing to have a class session where we play around with it. There is so much to learn and so much to do. We tried a little carving at the MVCT Retreat this August. Also, tried some slip trailing which will be another Technique of the Week post.
Carol’s Carousel Creations
Where having Fun in why we come!
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Open Classes — paint whatever you want
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Workshops — learn a new technique (classroom style)
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Party Van Workshops — we bring it all to you
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Etsy Stores — AfricanAmericanKids and CarolsCarouselShoppe
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We are now a Duncan Dealer and sell paints and supplies.
Carol's Carousel Creations 