Art and Design A comprehensive guide for creative artists - Aaltodoc

As an example, a roulette made by twisting cords or knots
from small strings of a papyrus, or a well-shaped piece of
stick. All these can be shaped accordingly to decorate clay
artworks.
Here is a table explaining some basic techniques of
decorating greenware:
Embossing
Burnishing
Incising clay
Stamping
Inlaying
Slip trailing
The surface decorations of an embossed design
display a (bas or low) relief. Just like the way
images appear on the surface of a currency
coin. Embossing can be done by carving or
moulding.
It makes greenware appear smooth “by
polishing of leather-hard clay with a smooth
tool.” (Müller 2007, 186) This technique can
produce high quality smooth surfaces by using
the smooth end of a spoon, 'stone' or a glass on
the pottery surface to appear like glaze.
Generates markings on a ceramic artwork
by using a sharp tool. Michael et al. (2007,
146) allege, “incising involves scoring clay
with various objects. The clay must be partly
dry before incising can be done” or making
necessary cuts, the incised decorations have to
be smoothened with a sponge or a soft brush.
Decorates pottery surfaces by impressing the
surface with patterns. Peterson et al. (2003, 110)
say, “since ancient time, pottery artists have
pressed or rolled into clay objects that leave
their impressions, when they are removed.”
Indeed, stamping imprints decorative designs
only when clay is still wet.
Decorates clay by using two or more types
of coloured clay. Pottery artists do inlaying
by embedding different types of coloured
clay portions to flush out on the surface of a
pottery in contrasting colours. The techniques
of inlaying vary; some creative artists use shells,
stone and bones. Inlaying can be done after
firing or before in different ways.
Uses slip obtained from wet clay to decorate
pottery. It can make decorative motifs into the
surface of the pottery. Simple tools like a coneshaped-folded
paper or a medical syringe can
be contrived for making decorative slip trials
of very fine lines, dots or any other desired
patterns. Sometimes slip trails are enhanced by
adding coloured powder paints into slip mixes
to bring on coloured slip trails.
216 217
Excising/
relief
carving
Glazing
A pottery surface can be decorated by using
a sharp stick to create carvings and deep
cuts. The problem with decorating pottery by
excising is that; the thickness and depths of clay
walls vary. Hence during carving, have a plan in
mind before you begin.
According to Hinshaw (2008, 86, 90), “glaze
is liquid glass that melts and bounds clay
through the heat of the kiln.” It can be used
to decorate pottery by dipping, pouring or
painting a glaze mix on the surface of pottery
artworks. “Glazes are grouped into low-fire or
high fires depending on the chemical makeup
... Low-fire glazes tend to have brighter colours;
high-fire ... more tones. Low-fire glazes are most
appropriate for elementary grades.” Ideally,
before glazing consult a skilled person for
necessary assistance.
Throwing clay on a wheel
In the words of Rhodes (2004, 29), “the invention of
throwing speeded up the production of pottery and made
possible light, highly symmetrical” functional earthenware.
In the manner now being indicated, pottery is meant to
be produced in lightweight. This practicability is done by
throwing “on the wheel ... to get a hollow clay shape, ready
to be finished or to be combined or cut up and added to
something else ... it is the fastest method only when the
potter is skilful and has total command of the wheel. This
accomplishment can take ten years to acquire, although
some people have a natural skill that allows them to
develop control faster” (Peterson et al. 2003, 67)
Apart from that, a clay throw must get to the centre of a
wheel to avoid—strenuous efforts of positioning it. Wrong
centering of clay may cause the wheel to run in a sluggish
way.
After placing clay in a proper position, start to roll the
wheel and keep it running at a low speed. With hands wet,
carefully start touching the wet clay using some strengths
and energy of your whole body.
Carry on and then press the clay slightly as the wheel keeps
rolling. The shape of an anticipated pottery design/artwork
will begin to develop. Remember to look at your sketch.
Then, put the right hand down in a short straight motion.