Viewing details of messages, sorted by time of last reply
Sticky Message
Welcome to the Potters & Muses Group!
Welcome all - whether you are new at trying your hand at different types of "ceramics" or an old pro, please consider this your Home :)
All members are invited to post topics for discussions, comment on existing topics (however old), ask questions, post art for suggestions or critiques; whatever you would like to do, with courtesy to all - and the Muses can be Nature, Poetry, Prosetry, other forms of creative art, so again, Welcome!!
There are lots of caring, creative, inventive, diverse artists in the group, so please join us and join in :)
All are invited to also check our Files section for saved tips and videos from our great membership :) We will be working on adding to this section.
Above all, ENJOY !!
CLAY STUDY - Summer 2008
Here is the study I propose:
Find a piece of colorful, boldly patterned fabric (a solid will not do) and cut out a 12" square.
Roll and cut a .25" thick slab about 12.5" by 12.5".
Using applied clay in relief as well carving/denting tools, see if you can recreate the design of the fabric, corner to corner, on your slab. No scanning or photocopying. We can post pictures at the greenware stage.
Then, using slips on greenware and/or glaze on bisque, fire your slab the appropriate number of times to see how close you can come to reproducing the cloth in clay. If you're happy with the end result you can frame both and set them side by side for viewing!
Some of you may be in production for fall/winter shows, so we can let this study ride for the summer with perhaps an October 1st deadline. Post if you're interested in participating.
Thanks. - M
posted by Manitaliano
USE OUR NEW GROUP CALENDAR FOR BIRTHDAYS AND OTHER SPECIAL DAYS!!
view link
All members are invited to post topics for discussions, comment on existing topics (however old), ask questions, post art for suggestions or critiques; whatever you would like to do, with courtesy to all - and the Muses can be Nature, Poetry, Prosetry, other forms of creative art, so again, Welcome!!
There are lots of caring, creative, inventive, diverse artists in the group, so please join us and join in :)
All are invited to also check our Files section for saved tips and videos from our great membership :) We will be working on adding to this section.
Above all, ENJOY !!
CLAY STUDY - Summer 2008
Here is the study I propose:
Find a piece of colorful, boldly patterned fabric (a solid will not do) and cut out a 12" square.
Roll and cut a .25" thick slab about 12.5" by 12.5".
Using applied clay in relief as well carving/denting tools, see if you can recreate the design of the fabric, corner to corner, on your slab. No scanning or photocopying. We can post pictures at the greenware stage.
Then, using slips on greenware and/or glaze on bisque, fire your slab the appropriate number of times to see how close you can come to reproducing the cloth in clay. If you're happy with the end result you can frame both and set them side by side for viewing!
Some of you may be in production for fall/winter shows, so we can let this study ride for the summer with perhaps an October 1st deadline. Post if you're interested in participating.
Thanks. - M
posted by Manitaliano
USE OUR NEW GROUP CALENDAR FOR BIRTHDAYS AND OTHER SPECIAL DAYS!!
view link
Sticky Message
Management Team
Managers & Moderators
Manager
pcalenda
Moderator
claycarole
Moderator
lindbod48
Moderator
Manitaliano
Manager
pcalenda
Moderator
claycarole
Moderator
lindbod48
Moderator
Manitaliano
Wax Resist Inlay Technicques
Does anyone here do this?
Resist Inlay:
A Simple Decorating Technique
By Sumi von Dassow
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! —Sherman Hall, Ceramic Arts Daily
A lot of potters make beautiful pots with only one sublime glaze on them, or a couple of glazes dipped, poured or sprayed in combination. On the other hand, a lot of other potters make very beautiful pottery with painted or slip-trailed decoration. If you are working in oxidation, particularly at low temperatures, it is often difficult to make a pot come alive with only a single glaze, a circumstance which leads many potters to turn to painted decoration.
If you would like to decorate your pottery but you don't feel confident about your painting skills, there is still hope for you. Though you won't regret any time spent learning to master a paintbrush, slip trailer or potter's pen, there is a relatively simple way to render a line drawing in glaze or underglaze. It is called resist inlay and requires only wax resist, a tool such as a wire loop sgraffito tool, a small paintbrush, glazes or underglazes and, of course, a design.
---------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
For more great techniques like this, check out Surface Decoration: Finishing Techniques in the Ceramic Arts Daily bookstore.
---------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
The basic technique of resist inlay is to coat the surface of your piece with glaze or underglaze, cover with liquid wax resist, scratch your design through the wax and then brush a second color of glaze or underglaze over the incised design. There are a couple of ways to transfer a design to the surface to be decorated, so you don't have to render your design free hand.
If you use resist inlay with glazes, you will have to be careful to choose glazes that are not too runny, so your design will stay crisp after firing. Even so, you may find that the technique gives more satisfactory results on a flat piece, such as a platter. If you use underglazes, they won't run or blur, but you will have to fire the piece to burn off the wax before coating it with clear glaze. You will also have to be very careful to apply three coats of your background color to ensure adequate coverage. Whether to use glazes or underglazes will depend on the particular materials you have available and the type of design you have in mind. Either way, you will find it an enjoyable and rewarding way to explore decorating.
The photos illustrate a simple and direct way of transferring a design. For this technique, you might use an original drawing, clip art photocopied to the right size from a copyright-free book, or clip art downloaded from a copyright-free source and printed out to the right size. For this photo sequence, glazes are used instead of underglazes.
First, the bisqued plate is dipped in glaze, allowed to dry, coated with wax, then set aside to allow the wax to dry (figure 1). The pattern is laid directly on top of the waxed surface and traced with a sharpened pencil (figure 2). When the paper is lifted, it removes the wax and some of the glaze wherever the pencil was impressed. You will see glaze stuck to the lines of the pattern (figure 3). The wire loop sgraffito tool is used to decorate the rim of the plate (figure 4). The main design can also be touched up at this time, if needed.
NOTE: If you trace over lines that are too close together, the wax between them may peel up as well, so it is better to wait and do more intricate parts of the pattern after removing the paper. If this does happen, take a small brush and touch up the glaze and wax in the problem areas. You might also find that some of your glazes or underglazes are more suited to this method than others. A second, contrasting glaze is painted over the design (figure 5). Check to ensure all carved lines are filled and small details are visible. The design is sponged lightly to clean up the extra droplets (figure 6). This is an important step when using glazes because there is no intermediate firing to burn off the wax.
---------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
Working with wax resist
Many potters try decorating with wax resist and give up in frustration, but the following tips will help you achieve success with this useful material.
1. Liquid wax is usually quite thick in consistency, like buttermilk. You will generally get better results if you thin it with water, sometimes as much as a 50:50 ratio. If it is too thick, it just takes longer to dry, and if it's not dry, it won't resist. It is also harder to carve through when thick. You may have to experiment with the brand you have available to figure out the proper proportion of wax to water, but it should be no thicker than cream.
2. A single coat of wax is all you ever need. Once it has touched your pot, it will resist anything you paint over it, including more wax.
3. If it isn't thoroughly dry, it won't resist. Let waxed pieces dry overnight before doing resist-inlay decoration. If you're in a hurry, you can put your waxed piece in front of a fan for an hour or two. It also helps to let your piece completely dry after coating it with glaze or underglaze before applying wax.
4. You can use any brush for liquid wax. Just wash it with hot water and soap as soon as you're done.
Sumi von Dassow teaches pottery at the Washington Heights Center for the Traditional Arts in Lakewood, Colorado. To see more of Sumi's work visit www.herwheel.com.
Resist Inlay:
A Simple Decorating Technique
By Sumi von Dassow
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! —Sherman Hall, Ceramic Arts Daily
A lot of potters make beautiful pots with only one sublime glaze on them, or a couple of glazes dipped, poured or sprayed in combination. On the other hand, a lot of other potters make very beautiful pottery with painted or slip-trailed decoration. If you are working in oxidation, particularly at low temperatures, it is often difficult to make a pot come alive with only a single glaze, a circumstance which leads many potters to turn to painted decoration.
If you would like to decorate your pottery but you don't feel confident about your painting skills, there is still hope for you. Though you won't regret any time spent learning to master a paintbrush, slip trailer or potter's pen, there is a relatively simple way to render a line drawing in glaze or underglaze. It is called resist inlay and requires only wax resist, a tool such as a wire loop sgraffito tool, a small paintbrush, glazes or underglazes and, of course, a design.
---------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
For more great techniques like this, check out Surface Decoration: Finishing Techniques in the Ceramic Arts Daily bookstore.
---------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
The basic technique of resist inlay is to coat the surface of your piece with glaze or underglaze, cover with liquid wax resist, scratch your design through the wax and then brush a second color of glaze or underglaze over the incised design. There are a couple of ways to transfer a design to the surface to be decorated, so you don't have to render your design free hand.
If you use resist inlay with glazes, you will have to be careful to choose glazes that are not too runny, so your design will stay crisp after firing. Even so, you may find that the technique gives more satisfactory results on a flat piece, such as a platter. If you use underglazes, they won't run or blur, but you will have to fire the piece to burn off the wax before coating it with clear glaze. You will also have to be very careful to apply three coats of your background color to ensure adequate coverage. Whether to use glazes or underglazes will depend on the particular materials you have available and the type of design you have in mind. Either way, you will find it an enjoyable and rewarding way to explore decorating.
The photos illustrate a simple and direct way of transferring a design. For this technique, you might use an original drawing, clip art photocopied to the right size from a copyright-free book, or clip art downloaded from a copyright-free source and printed out to the right size. For this photo sequence, glazes are used instead of underglazes.
First, the bisqued plate is dipped in glaze, allowed to dry, coated with wax, then set aside to allow the wax to dry (figure 1). The pattern is laid directly on top of the waxed surface and traced with a sharpened pencil (figure 2). When the paper is lifted, it removes the wax and some of the glaze wherever the pencil was impressed. You will see glaze stuck to the lines of the pattern (figure 3). The wire loop sgraffito tool is used to decorate the rim of the plate (figure 4). The main design can also be touched up at this time, if needed.
NOTE: If you trace over lines that are too close together, the wax between them may peel up as well, so it is better to wait and do more intricate parts of the pattern after removing the paper. If this does happen, take a small brush and touch up the glaze and wax in the problem areas. You might also find that some of your glazes or underglazes are more suited to this method than others. A second, contrasting glaze is painted over the design (figure 5). Check to ensure all carved lines are filled and small details are visible. The design is sponged lightly to clean up the extra droplets (figure 6). This is an important step when using glazes because there is no intermediate firing to burn off the wax.
---------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
Working with wax resist
Many potters try decorating with wax resist and give up in frustration, but the following tips will help you achieve success with this useful material.
1. Liquid wax is usually quite thick in consistency, like buttermilk. You will generally get better results if you thin it with water, sometimes as much as a 50:50 ratio. If it is too thick, it just takes longer to dry, and if it's not dry, it won't resist. It is also harder to carve through when thick. You may have to experiment with the brand you have available to figure out the proper proportion of wax to water, but it should be no thicker than cream.
2. A single coat of wax is all you ever need. Once it has touched your pot, it will resist anything you paint over it, including more wax.
3. If it isn't thoroughly dry, it won't resist. Let waxed pieces dry overnight before doing resist-inlay decoration. If you're in a hurry, you can put your waxed piece in front of a fan for an hour or two. It also helps to let your piece completely dry after coating it with glaze or underglaze before applying wax.
4. You can use any brush for liquid wax. Just wash it with hot water and soap as soon as you're done.
Sumi von Dassow teaches pottery at the Washington Heights Center for the Traditional Arts in Lakewood, Colorado. To see more of Sumi's work visit www.herwheel.com.
WAKE UP GROUP :)
How can we get you guys to participate more? Honest question - I know everyone is busy and preoccupied, but please contribute - remember - there is no such thing as a dumb question, and we are at all levels here from wanna-bes to pros - so PLEASE get involved or whatever :)
Tell The Truth Now!
Fabric to tile clay study ends 10-01-08. Now tell the truth! Did anybody actually work on it to completion? - M
Sweet, Healthy, Happy New Year
To my Jewish and Jewish-friendly members of this board:
May you have a Happy New Year filled with lots of honey and very few worms. Also, may all your pieces fire and glaze perfectly with no S-cracks or pitting!
Shana Tova U'Metuka!
May you have a Happy New Year filled with lots of honey and very few worms. Also, may all your pieces fire and glaze perfectly with no S-cracks or pitting!
Shana Tova U'Metuka!
New Banner
Instead of doing the many things I should have been doing today, I just could not make myself walk away from my computer while I was working through the roadblocks I ran into trying to figure out how to make Photoshop do what I wanted it to do. I have succeeded. There is a new banner in the groups photos.
Greek pots
I apologize for the sideways pictures, though you could turn them easily. Shall post them straight when I have time (it's such a slow process!)
Yes, I find the craftmanship in these pieces absolutely humbling. But then, of course, if it's any consolation, those Greek potters, like the Sung and later potters in China, Persian potters, and others in the ancient world, had their living assured just doing what they did. They spent their entire time making and decorating pots practically from the cradle to the grave, and were supported - decently, I hope - by the local rulers and wealthy Maecenas. Would that we had some of those around today!
Yes, I find the craftmanship in these pieces absolutely humbling. But then, of course, if it's any consolation, those Greek potters, like the Sung and later potters in China, Persian potters, and others in the ancient world, had their living assured just doing what they did. They spent their entire time making and decorating pots practically from the cradle to the grave, and were supported - decently, I hope - by the local rulers and wealthy Maecenas. Would that we had some of those around today!
