Finding your style can feel overwhelming when diving into the world of ceramics. Once you’ve got a handle on basic techniques it can feel inspiring to start to explore how to finish and decorate your work in different ways. The following methods add character, contrast, and personal flair to each piece, turning a simple pot into a true work of art!
Sgraffito
Scratch away slip or underglaze to reveal contrast.
Sgraffito is a decorative technique that allows for detailed line work and illustration. It’s commonly used to create strong visual contrast and fine patterns.
How to Try It:
-
Apply slip or underglaze to leather-hard clay in a contrasting color.
-
Use carving tools to scratch designs into the surface, revealing the clay body beneath.
-
Clean off any loose particles before firing.
Best For: Line work, patterns, and bold contrast.
Nerikomi
Create intricate patterns by layering coloured clay.
Nerikomi is a Japanese technique that involves stacking, slicing, and layering coloured clays to create stunning, marbled patterns throughout a piece—not just on the surface.
How to Try It:
-
Color your clay using ceramic stains or oxides and wedge thoroughly.
-
Layer or stack different colored clays into a block or log, often using geometric or free-form shapes.
-
Slice cross-sections from the block to reveal the internal patterns.
-
Use the slices as slabs for building or apply them to existing forms.
Best For: Decorative tiles, slab-built pieces, or as accents in wheel-thrown work.
Sprigging
Add raised decoration to your piece.
Sprigging allows for the addition of sculptural detail to the surface of your pottery. These decorations can be subtle or elaborate, depending on your design.
How to Try It:
-
Shape or mold decorative elements like flowers, medallions, or patterns separately.
-
Score and slip both the base surface and the back of the sprig.
-
Press the sprig onto the surface and blend the edges for a seamless finish.
Best For: Adding floral, abstract, or ornamental details.
Inlay
Press clay shapes into slabs for delicate surface decoration.
Inlay technique involves placing small shapes of coloured clay onto a rolled-out slab and then gently rolling them in to embed the pattern. It’s a painterly, collage-like process ideal for crisp surface imagery and playful designs.
How to Try It:
-
Colour your clay using ceramic stains or oxides and roll it into thin sheets or cut shapes.
-
Roll out a base slab of plain clay to a consistent thickness.
-
Arrange your shapes on the surface in a pattern or motif.
-
Roll over them gently to press them into the slab without distorting the shapes.
-
Smooth and finish before using the slab to build plates, tiles, or vessels.
Best For: Decorative slab work with precise or playful surface designs.
Burnishing
Polish clay by hand for a natural sheen.
Burnishing compresses the surface of the clay to produce a subtle shine without using glaze. It’s traditionally used in pit-fired or low-fire pottery.
How to Try It:
-
Let clay reach the leather-hard stage.
-
Rub with a smooth stone, spoon, or plastic tool in overlapping circles.
-
Allow the surface to dry and then fire at a low temperature.
Best For: Traditional or low-fire pottery.
Try a few, mix and match, and see what style resonates with you. Pottery is all about exploration and making something more than pots in the process.