Well friends,
Borrowed from the Internet, Sgraffito (in Italian "to scratch") is a decorating pottery technique produced by applying layers of color or colors (underglazes or colored slips) to leather hard "green" pottery and then scratching off parts of the layer(s) to create contrasting images, patterns and texture and reveal the clay color underneath.
In the example, here are use the white porcelain clay as the base and layered various colors of colored slip. Once these outer layers were dry, I could go in with the tool. The ability to create patterns and designs, this manner gives one a lot of freedom of expression.
When is never quite sure where patterns will lead. Even though I have something in mind, cutting and repetition start to take on a life of their own.
- Jon