Drawing fine lines in black

[cambriapottery]

If wishing to draw fine lines on bisque or even on  greenware what is the best tool to use? Maybe a pen nib and mason stain? It would be nice to find something that can hold the ink for drawing.

[LinR]

On leather hard clay, wax all over.  Draw through the wax with a needle tool or your favorite tool.  Apply the under glaze and wipe off the excess.  Lin

[PeterH]

+1 for LinR's suggestion. Article here https://ceramicartsnetwork.org/daily/article/Resist-Inlay-A-Simple-Decorating-Technique

If you want to use a pen,you may find this thread of of interest.

 

[Roberta12]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077583GZD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use these.  I can fill them with whatever underglaze I choose.  I do a lot of drawing on both greenware and bisque with them.

 

Roberta

[Kelly in AK]

Another approach to consider is incising the lines, filling them with underglaze, then wiping away the excess. The drawing is different because you’re drawing into the clay instead of on it, but this technique can produce very fine, crisp lines. Lorna Meaden’s work comes to mind. The technique has its own learning curve, you’ll find yourself now looking for the perfect incising tool, haha! 

Underglaze applied using fine tipped applicators, like @Roberta12 mentions, are the best thing I’ve seen for no frills unencumbered drawing of fine lines. Underglazes are generally predictable and won’t run or bleed. The tools clog easily, so you need a straight pin or fine wire for a stopper when not in use. 

[neilestrick]

1. Apply underglaze colors.

2. Cover with wax.

3. Draw the fine lines with a needle tool.

4. Let the burrs dry for a while, then brush them off with a stiff brush. If you don't let them dry they'll just smoosh back into the lines.

5. Cover with underglaze (I used black on this piece), making sure it gets into the lines.

6. Let it sit until the underglaze is dry on the surface. This helps to make sure the underglaze is set up in the lines so it's less likely to wipe out.

7. Wipe off all excess underglaze with a fine grained, stiff sponge. A soft, open grained sponge can pull the underglaze out of the lines.

[Biglou13]

Calligraphy style brush. And practice. 

[Shane]

I've always liked Duncan EZ012 Cobalt Jet Black for my black and white stuff. 1 coat, just use a liner brush or any brush you want really.

This piece is earthenware but according to my tests the colour holds up to at least cone 10.

 

[PeterH]

5 hours ago, Biglou13 said:

Calligraphy style brush. And practice. 

PS It seems that a lot more products now have magic in the title. So an eBay search for something like magic cloth calligraphy is required.

Edited November 9, 2023 by PeterH