Decorating Ceramic Pieces

Naked Raku was the process used for decorating most of my pieces. This was done by using a resist slip then crackle glaze on the pieces. They were then fired in an updraft kiln to 1000 degrees. Once removed from the kiln, the pieces were then put into chambers with sawdust and sealed. The flames and smoke need oxygen and the only place to get it was in the clay. This turned parts of the clay, without the slip, black. Here are photos of various stages of the process:

Here are the pieces cleaned up. I have incorporated wire with some of the pieces.

This is the final display for assessment.

I had a great time over the last 2 weeks.

Ceramics Elective

My third elective was Ceramics. To start we had to take photos of patterns / designs we saw in both the natural and urban environment. Here are a few of the pics I took:

We then used our photos to make some marks on paper. In the studio be got paper and indian ink and created marks. Here are the marks I worked with:

Marks made with a plastic clubcard

Marks made with a brush

Positive and negative copies of marks

We then went to the Ceramics Department and were shown coiling, slabbing and how to make pinch pots. I won't bore you with each step, but here are the final pieces I made prior to firing:

This was done by coiling

Coiling also

These are made by the pinch pot technique

This was done by slabbing and adding in coiling to join the edges

Slabbing also

I then had a go at throwing a bowl!!! Well!!! This didn't go so well. I'm calling it my 'Drunken Bowl'! 'Tis a bit lopsided.

 

Update on Drawing Competition

Well! Ya never guess what!!! One of my pictures got picked for the exhibition!! I'm over the moon!! This is the one that got picked:

It's a great feeling seeing it in an exhibition. My first time! Woo Hoo!!!! It has made me want to go back doing more of these types of drawings. I love doing this kind of thing. I've started already playing around with some ideas. I'll update with more when I have something to share.