Cobblestone Fall Leaves

Designer: John Grosbeck

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Instructions

  1. Begin with properly fired cone 04 bisque. Moisten a sponge and wipe bisque to remove any dust.
  2. Condition the fan brush by dipping in water and then removing excess gently with a dry paper towel.  Apply three coats of FN-009 Black Foundations to the entire mug, allowing it to dry between coats.
  3. Between applying the coats of FN-009 Black Foundations and while the glaze is drying, cut out the 3 leaves from the paper patterns.
  4. Because the SG-202 White Cobblestone is not a smooth surface, you want to avoid placing it in areas that come in contact with food or liquid and avoid areas where it would come into contact with the lips on the rim of the mug.  The largest leaf is to be positioned on the outside of the mug opposite the handle.  This way it can be close to the rim where it is unusual for anyone to drink from that side of the mug.
  5. Once the 3 coats of FN-009 Black are dry, position the largest leaf on the outside of the mug opposite the handle and trace around the pattern with a pencil.  Do not score/scratch the glaze by applying too much pressure to the pencil.
  6. Trace the other two smaller leaves on either side of the large leaf, keeping them well away from the rim of the mug and varying the direction of the stems.
  7. To avoid bubbles in the AC-302 Wax Resist,  do not shake immediately before using.  Pour about the size of a nickel of the AC-302 Wax Resist on the 6″ round plate.
  8. Use a separate brush for applying AC-302 Wax Resist and wash immediately to remove the wax and prevent the wax from drying in the bristles. Note:  The only way to remove wax from a project is to fire in the kiln.  If you drip it on your ware it will do its job and repel glaze even if you wipe it off.  Use care not to drip or drop your brush on the mug.
  9. Using the CB-202 #2 Detail Liner apply one coat of AC-302 Wax Resist to the outline of the leaves.  Make a fairly bold line as the outline.
  10. After all of the leaves are outlined, apply wax resist to the handle of the mug where it attaches to the mug.  go about 1/2″ up the handle of the mug.
  11. Clean the wax resist brush well.  Allow the wax resist to dry.
  12. The next steps, applying and coloring the Cobblestone glaze are completed rather quickly.  The color needs to be applied as soon as the SG-202 White Cobblestone has lost its gloss, but before it is completely dry and begins to crack too much.
  13. Pour out about a quarter size of the Stroke & Coat colors for the leaves onto your palette:  SC-6 Sunkissed, SC-27 Sour Apple, SC-74 Hot Tamale, SC-75 Orange-A-Peel.
  14. Using a #4 or #6 brush as appropriate, apply the first coat of SG-202 White Cobblestone to all of the leaves.  Brush on a good coat – the application should be somewhat opaque.  Do not overwork the glaze, just lay down a good coat.  IF the coats are too thin, the Cobblestone will not break up.  The heavier the coat of Cobblestone, the deeper the texture and larger the break up.   Since you are working on a curved surface, be careful not to apply so much that it drips over the wax resist outline.
  15. When the first coat of SG-202 White Cobblestone has lost its shine, apply a second coat in the same manner.
  16. When the second coat of Cobblestone has lost its shine and before it begins to crack, apply one coat of Stroke & Coat over the SG-202 White Cobblestone.  Use the #4 or #6 Round to apply one coat of leaf colors starting at the edges and feathering toward the center as shown in the photo.  Apply the center color last and feather outward overlapping the outer colors.  Be careful not to muddy the colors too much.  Unblended blocks of color will not really be that distinguishable when the Cobblestone creates its cracked texture.  Each leaf in nature is different, so be creative!
  17. Once the leaves are complete and dry, apply two coats of either SC-3 Wine About It or SC-29 Blue Grass around the leaves on the outside of the mug – exclude the handle, the bottom, and the rim. The wax resist will help keep the lines distinct. follow the contour of the leaves and handle.  This is not meant to be 100% coverage but to have a mottled, rich look.
  18. Tip:  If you have too much color on top of the wax resist, use a damp sponge or a damp stiff brush to remove the excess.
  19. Stilt and fire to cone 06.

Supplies

Form

  • MB-113 12 oz. Mug

Colors

  • SC-3 Wine About It
  • SC-06 Sunkissed
  • SC-27 Sour Apple
  • SC-29 Blue Grass
  •  SC-74 Hot Tamale
  • SC-75 Orange-A-Peel
  • SC-73 Candy Apple Red
  • FN-009 Black
  • SG-202 White Cobblestone

Decorating Accessories

  • AC-302 Wax Resist
  • CB-202 #2 Detail Liner
  • CB-404 #4 Pointed Round
  • CB-406 #6 Pointed Round
  • CB-604 #4 Soft Fan Brush

Miscellaneous Accessories

  • Palette
  • Pencil
  • Scissors
  • Palette Knife
  • 6″ Round Foam or Disposable Plate
  • Pattern: Download

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