TypicalGirl Posted October 16, 2011 Report Share Posted October 16, 2011 Or are there things I should know? I've become interested in Sgrafitto lately and am thinking I want to play a bit. Take a pot, slap on some contrasting slip and start carving away right? Or are there other considerations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormphyre Posted October 16, 2011 Report Share Posted October 16, 2011 That's about it. Just make sure the bottom layer has dried enough that it doesn't smear or mix when you add the top layer, and that the top layer is dry enough that it doesn't just smear when you scratch/carve it off. Also make sure both layers are decently thick, so that you don't carve through the top and bottom and into clay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dian Posted October 16, 2011 Report Share Posted October 16, 2011 I have very limited experience, but I know having the sgraffito tool is a good thing, and it's a lot of fun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TypicalGirl Posted October 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2011 Thanks folks! I have a set of dental tools, but I saw a couple of official sgrafitto tools that I think I'll pick up too. Seems like a good project for a too-rainy-and-cold-to-work-in-the-studio day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLowes Posted October 17, 2011 Report Share Posted October 17, 2011 I have just started sgraffito and I found that putting my contrasting underglaze on when the pot is leatherhard works well. For an Amaco LUG-1 Black (I took a workshop with Kathy King and that is what she uses and recommends), it takes 7 coats for good coverage over B-mix, for what it's worth. After application I let the piece dry out just a tad. Just right is when the underglaze carves off without the edges cracking or peeling on the color left down. There is a narrow window where it just feels "right" and when it stops feeling right, I lay on a damp paper towel and let the pot rehydrate, wait a bit, and go at it again. I like the feel of a Kemper K23 tool, and for texturixing large areas I found a Euclid TP426 lets me work over a large area in short time. I also have a Euclid TP500 that is harder for me to control, but has flat edges with serrations and may be better for some patterns than the rounded edges of the TP426. Ceramic Arts Daily had something a while back on making sgraffito tools from old tape measure tape as another alternative. http://ceramicartsda...graffito-tools/ A bit of Kathy King on sgraffito: http://ceramicartsda...o-in-your-work/ Enjoy! John L. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benhim Posted October 18, 2011 Report Share Posted October 18, 2011 I took a workshop with a man from Louisianan area. He used a tool from Dolan called an M 30 to do his carving. His technique was to throw thick cups in a porcelain like stoneware such as B-mix and coat in a black engobe. He did not wish to impart the recipe for his engobe as it was a very nice black which is hard to come by, so we used an expensive underglaze from one of the larger manufacturers. I don't remember which one but it was named Jet Black. It worked in one coat and the relief we carved into the cups was spectacular. Using the Dolan M 30 tool gave the sgrafitto a uniform look and a finished quality. It was also much easier than many other types of tools I'd tried to use for sgrafitto before. Best of luck it's a lot of fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TypicalGirl Posted October 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2011 Thank you al so much for taking the time to share your tips and suggestions with me! I've got lots of great information now and am rarin' to go (well, as soon as I finish up some other projects When I have some results, I'll make sure to post a pic or two so you can see my progress. Cathi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clay lover Posted October 19, 2011 Report Share Posted October 19, 2011 I use a Kemper tool called a wire stylus, about $4. removes a fine v shaped sliver of clay, no booger to clean up. Do ALL booger clean up when DRY, or the boogers stick down and smear. Love scgrafitto. There are entire 3-4 story buildings in Check Republic done in this style. AAAAmazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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