Uncovering the Beauty of Sgraffito
Sgraffito is a pottery decorating technique that involves carving designs into the surface of clay and lately we’ve seen this technique used beautifully at All Things Clay. This ancient technique has been used for centuries to create intricate, decorative patterns on pottery pieces. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what sgraffito is, its history, and how it’s done.
A sgraffito bowl made by student, Bevlee Michel.
What is Sgraffito?
Sgraffito is a technique that involves scratching or carving through one layer of clay or slip to reveal a contrasting layer underneath. The word "sgraffito" comes from the Italian word "graffiare," which means "to scratch." The technique is typically done on leather-hard clay, which is clay that is partially dry but still pliable.
How is Sgraffito Done?
To do sgraffito, you’ll need a pottery piece that has dried to leather-hard stage. You’ll also need a tool for scratching the surface, such as a needle tool or a loop tool, and colored slips or underglazes to create contrasting colors.
Here are the steps to do sgraffito:
Apply a layer of slip or underglaze to the surface of the pottery piece. This layer should be thick enough to cover the surface evenly.
Let the layer of slip or underglaze dry until it is leather-hard. This means that it is no longer wet to the touch, but it is still pliable.
Using your tool of choice, carve your desired design into the surface of the pottery. You can create intricate patterns or simple designs.
After you have finished carving, let the piece dry completely before bisque firing it.
Once the piece has been bisque fired, you can apply a clear glaze over the surface to seal the design and create a glossy finish.
Contrasting the rich terracotta colour with a blue slip creates an eye cathing design.
Tips for Successful Sgraffito
Plan ahead and practice your design on paper or a separate piece of clay before carving it into your pottery piece.
Be careful not to scratch too deeply into the clay, as this can cause the piece to crack during firing.
Experiment with different colors and patterns to create unique designs. Remember, high contrast can make the work more striking.
You can do multiple layers of slip to create interest, but you’d need to ensure that each layer is properly dry before adding a next layer.
You can also use sgraffito to create text, such as names or quotes, on your pottery pieces.
Sgraffito is a beautiful pottery technique that has been used for centuries to create intricate, decorative patterns. With some practice and experimentation, you can create stunning designs on your own pottery pieces using this ancient technique. So, why not grab your tools and start carving in your next class?