Something new...

I still have some mid-fire buff clay left in the recycle bucket, and I wanted to try a few different ideas out before I get these fired.  I haven't decided if I want to wait until I get my kiln wired and fire them here, or just go ahead and take them down to L&R for the bisque firing, and be done with it.  The longer these sit around green, the more likely something is going to happen to them.  Once all of this mid-fire clay is used up, my plan is to switch to earthenware clay for most of the pieces I will be making.  I think it will be a more economical choice, and easier to focus on one type of clay and learn all I can about it here in the next few years.  Best laid plans, as they say...

This is a lidded jar I made with the buff stoneware this past week.  It's slab built, with Spectrum black underglaze.  This time, instead of a sgraffito decoration, I cut out paper stencils... moistened them with a little slip, and applied them to the leather hard pot; then I brushed the underglaze over them.  Once the underglaze was slightly dry, I peeled the stencils off.  Later, I lightly wiping down the jar with a damp sponge to soften the edges of the design. I also took a toothpick and lightly scratching the trees to give them some depth.  I thought it turned out pretty good.  As with all of these, I can't wait to see the finished pot.  It will get a light, clear glaze on the exterior, also.