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.
Place some of each of the underglaze colors out onto a tile. Use a slightly moistened Synthetic Sponge to pounce on 1 coat of UG-230 Blue Grass to the top third of the tile. The area should be slightly angled. Clean the sponge and then apply 1 coat of UG-232 Olive to the rest of the tile overlapping the Blue Grass edge. Repeat this step two more times to complete the three coats of colors. The olive color should blend into the blue grass color with no harsh demarcation to the colors.
Sketch or trace the bamboo pattern using the pencil.
Use the sgraffito tool to sgraffito the lines of the bamboo and leaves. Vary the width of the lines by applying more or less pressure to the tool. Use the side of the sgraffito tool to carve bolder scoops for the texture to the bamboo canes and center veins of the leaves. 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.
Fire to shelf cone 04.
Use a slightly moistened synthetic sponge to wipe down the tile to remove any dust or debris before glazing.
Use CB-604 Soft Fan to apply 2-3 coats of S-2101 Crystal Clear Brushing to the entire tile.
