Sgraffito Owl Tile

Designer: William Pulse

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Instructions

  1. Wipe down the tile with a slightly moistened Synthetic Sponge to remove any dust and to rehydrate the tile. If dry greenware is used, use CB-604 Soft Fan loaded with water to apply a couple of coats of water to rehydrate the clay some before completing Step 2. It is easier to sgraffito the design on leather hard greenware that color has been applied. When dry greenware is used it is more difficult to carve through the color and clay. Several passes of the sgraffito tool should be made instead of one bold cut into the color. If the greenware and color are both very dry, extra care should be given when carving the lines as chipping of the underglaze can occur. Bisque tiles can be used but the look is slightly different and is a bit more difficult to carve the lines into the color.
  2. Sketch or trace the basic shapes of the owl, leaves and branch using a pencil.
  3. Place some of all the colors out onto a tile excluding UG-50 Jet Black. Using CB-602 Soft Fan to apply a mottled collage of UG-226 Lavender, UG-236 Grey and UG-227 Concord Grape to the sky areas of the pattern. Use less of the Concord Grape color than the other two. Wet blend the colors while making “X” strokes when applying the color to the sky. Repeat this application of color 2-3 times.
  4. To the branch apply 2-3 coats of UG-30 Sand using CB-404 Pointed Round.
  5. Apply 2-3 coats of UG-31 Chocolate to the owl using CB-404 Pointed Round.
  6. The leaves are a mottling of UG-223 Apricot and UG-232 Olive. Use CB-404 Pointe Round to apply 2-3 coats of the colors. The colors do not have to be exact in their placement within the pattern.
  7. Sketch or trace the owl, branch and leaves of the pattern using the pencil.
  8. Use the sgraffito tool to sgraffito the lines of the owl, branch and leaves. Vary the width of the lines by applying more or less pressure to the tool. Keep the sgraffito lines loose and free when carving. Use the side of the sgraffito tool to carve bolder scoops for the feathers around the eyes. Use the pattern for guidance. Use a dry CB-604 Soft Fan to brush away any debris from the carving before firing or while working on the design. Let dry.
  9. Use CB-110 Liner to fill in the eye with UG-50 Jet Black.
  10. Fire to shelf cone 04.
  11. Use a slightly moistened Synthetic Sponge to wipe down the tile to remove any dust or debris before glazing.
  12. Use CB-604 Soft Fan to apply 2-3 coats of S-2101 Crystal Clear Brushing to the entire tile.
  13. Stilt and fire to shelf cone 05-06.

Supplies

Form

  • 6”x 6” Greenware Tile, leather hard preferred

Colors

  • S-2102 Crystal Clear Brushing
  • UG-30 Sand
  • UG-31 Chocolate
  • UG-50 Jet Black
  • UG-223 Apricot
  • UG-226 Lavender
  • UG-227 Concord Grape
  • UG-232 Olive
  • UG-236 Grey

Decorating Accessories

  • CB-604 Soft Fan
  • CB-110 Liner
  • CB-404 Pointed Round
  • CB-602 Soft Fan
  • Sgraffito Tool

Miscellaneous Accessories

  • Sponge
  • Water
  • Pencil
  • Palette or tile
  • Pattern

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