Sgraffito

Italian: “scratched”

Has a bit to do with positive/negative space Has a bit to do with positive/negative space. Good way to think about it: Remove what you DO NOT want. Some designs: Leave shadows (instead of shading them like you would with a pencil; you will work AROUND shadows here), carve highlights How is it done? 1. Allow clay to become a moist leather-hard 2. Paint glaze over the entire piece or over an area of the piece 3. Scratch away glaze in areas you wish to remain white

examples—textural and geometric Textural patterns—leave glaze where you would like shadows to appear. examples—textural and geometric Textural Leave glaze where shadows appear; remove glaze for highlights

Line/geometric designs Variation of line thickness Textural and geometric Line/geometric designs Variation of line thickness

Complex/intricate geometric

Organic. This particular piece is an example where you would probably paint certain areas of the piece instead of the whole thing, because so much of this is the blank clay. Examples—organic Example of painting an area of a piece vs. the whole thing. Lots of blank clay Positive/negative space Positive space = occupied space (glazed) Negative space = unoccupied (white)

Large vase and crane plate: Carve out negative space; leave glaze where the figures are Fish vase: carve lines of figure; leave rest of glaze as background color Line drawing Positive space is glazed; negative space glaze has been removed

Owl mug: example of a lot of removal of glaze for light texture Owl mug: example of a lot of removal of glaze for light texture. ALSO: change in direction AND thickness of line to set figure apart from background. Same with the branch on which he stands. Vase: good mix of thin and thick line; adds a lot of visual interest

Your Assignment Coasters can be any shape, as long as they will be functional. Box should match. Coasters and box walls should be approx. 1/4” thick. Coasters OK thinner Completely flat for stability Smooth surfaces and softened edges on coasters AND box Set of 4 sgraffito coasters, with a sgraffito container Steps: Use design sheet to plan your coasters and box Start building

Storage and timing for paint Keep clay ON a wood board, in contact with the wood Keep pieces covered well with plastic (plastic should be stuck to coaster surfaces) Keep them sprayed well You CANNOT paint the same day that you build for sgraffito to work. Must wait at least 1 day.

Coaster examples

Tips Once glaze is dry, lightly draw or trace design on using a pencil Keep carved lines VERY clean and precise Remember: leave what you want to be on the piece behind; take away what you want gone Try not to carve too deeply into the clay, but make sure carved areas are clean Use small loop tools and needle tools This is a glazing technique you can use on other projects!