Sgraffito is an ancient and versatile pottery technique used to create intricate surface decorations and unique clay sculptures. The word “sgraffito” comes from the Italian term “sgraffiare,” which means “to scratch.” This technique involves applying layers of colored slip or underglaze onto a clay surface, then scratching through the layers to reveal the contrasting clay body underneath. Sgraffito has been used for centuries in various cultures, including ancient Rome, medieval Europe, and traditional African and Native American pottery.
Materials and Tools
To begin exploring the sgraffito technique, you will need the following materials:
- Clay: Choose a clay body that contrasts well with your chosen slips or underglazes. Porcelain or white stoneware clays work well with dark-colored slips, while red or brown clays pair well with lighter-colored slips.
- Slip or Underglaze: Choose one or more colors to apply over your clay surface. Commercially available slips and underglazes can be purchased at most art supply stores or made by mixing powdered pigments with water and a binding agent such as gum arabic.
- Brushes: Use soft-bristle brushes for applying slip or underglaze to your clay surface.
- Carving Tools: To create your sgraffito designs, you will need a variety of carving tools such as needles, loop tools, and styluses. These can be found at most art supply stores or made from found objects like nails or toothpicks.
- Bisqueware/Leather-hard Clay: Sgraffito is best done on bisque-fired or leather-hard clay surfaces. Bisque firing your piece before applying slip allows for more control over the carving process, while working on leather-hard clay requires less drying time.
Sgraffito Techniques
There are several techniques for creating sgraffito designs on your pottery. Here are a few to get you started:
- Direct Carving: This technique involves drawing or carving your design directly onto the clay surface using a sharp tool. This method is best suited for simple, bold designs that require little precision.
- Stenciling: Create a stencil by cutting out your desired design from a piece of paper, plastic, or thin metal. Place the stencil on your clay surface and apply slip or underglaze over the stencil. Once the slip has dried slightly, remove the stencil and carve through the slip to reveal your design.
- Resist Technique: Apply a resist material such as wax or latex to your clay surface in the shape of your desired design. Apply slip or underglaze over the entire surface, including the resist material. Once dry, peel off the resist material to reveal your design, then carve through the slip to expose the clay body.
- Multi-Layered Sgraffito: Apply multiple layers of different colored slips or underglazes to your clay surface, allowing each layer to dry before applying the next. Carve through the layers in various areas to create a multi-colored, textured design.
- Negative Space Carving: Instead of carving away the slip to reveal your design, use this technique to carve away negative space around your design, leaving the slip intact.
Creating Unique Clay Sculptures
Sgraffito can be used not only for surface decoration but also as a sculpting technique to create unique clay sculptures. By layering and carving away slips or underglazes, you can create intricate textures and patterns that add depth and dimension to your work. Experiment with combining sgraffito with other sculpting techniques such as coil building or slab construction to create truly one-of-a-kind pieces.
Whether you’re new to pottery or an experienced artist looking for new ways to express yourself, sgraffito offers endless possibilities for creating stunning surface decorations and unique clay sculptures. With a few simple tools and some imagination, you can transform your pottery into works of art that showcase your individual style and creativity.
