yappystudent

Thanks for the advice and the link. Mainly I'm just grumbling but the advice is appreciated. I have watched that video and some others, but that's not exactly what I'm trying to do. Her work is more Majolica, I'm trying to adapt Maiolica and go for something like an 'ancient but refined' (?) look. I'm working on three different experiments that are Maiolica/Majolica-like. It's hard to describe even to myself but I'll know it when I see it. The oxide was an impulse because I figured it would give me nice clear black, stable lines to paint underglazes over at bisque stage. I also tried one with black underglaze outlining on sandy clay, and another with a smooth black clay body with lighter values of slip painting. All are still in the greenware stage but I'm enjoying the process, except for the oxide. I may have to take a trip to buy black mason stain and ask the pottery store folks about the other materials you mentioned for outlining. Here's an image of the oxide (right) and underglaze (left) pieces as-is: 

Have you thought about pseudo mishima where you wax over a glaze and scratch in the drawing and fill with underglaze? It looks like what you are doing may work with that technique.

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Sounds like a good suggestion. I'd certainly have more control over my outlines that way. 

Wow what a bargain,  I thought we had a pretty good price at $1.99 a pound,  they have to be shipped a long way so I think that is the best they can do.    Bing cherries are suppose to build up your immune system so eat as many as you can.      Denice

Congrats on the shop sink. I don't know what I would do without mine. (I think lots of people may be preparing for summer craft shows. I teach a Summer intensive starting tomorrow and going for five hectic weeks, so I will be less present until end of July).

Good luck with the teaching position. 

Actually I am running out of things to say, and most of my posts strike me as being redundant. 

Looking forward to seeing a photo!

It was mainly bisque and tests, but one was my first attempt at majolica -birdbath that's going into a yard sale tomorrow. Has a crack through the center, which I 'fixed' with aquarium sealant. I'll post a pic of it ASAP. ty for the encouragement

Still looking for the images of the bird bath. It did sell at the yard sale despite a crack going right through the bottom (sealed with aquarium silicone). 

I made a small mosaic  small mural  18"x24" several years ago, it was for a arched inset in a wall.  I made a pattern of the arch and cut the tiles with in the arch.  It was a one time firing so I went ahead and glazed it at the leather hard stage.  The pattern I painted was a big help in putting it back together,  just like a jig saw puzzle.  with the shrinkage of the tiles I got the grout space I needed.     Denice

The pattern sounds like a great idea.