Sgraffito Grapes 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 leaves and grapes using a pencil.
  3. Place some of the colors out onto a tile except the UG-222 Soft Yellow.
  4. Use CB-404 Pointed Round to paint in the grapes using UG-226 Lavender. The application of the color does not need to be perfect or exact. Apply 1-2 uneven coats of the color. Keep the painting loose. Darken the grapes where they overlap or toward the bottoms with UG-227 Concord Grape applying 1-2 uneven coats using the same brush.
  5. Use CB-404 Pointed Round to apply 2-3 uneven coats of UG-232 Olive to the leaves. Shade with 1-2 coats of UG-230 Blue Grass to the leaf edges.
  6. Apply 3 coats of UG-222 Soft Yellow to the background using CB-404 Pointed Round and CB-604 Soft Fan.
  7. Sketch or trace the grape and leaf pattern using the pencil.
  8. Use the sgraffito tool to sgraffito the lines of the grapes 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 highlights in the grapes and center veins of the leaves. Keep the side veins that radiate from the center vein finer. 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. Fire to shelf cone 04.
  10. Use a slightly moistened Synthetic Sponge to wipe down the tile to remove any dust or debris before glazing.
  11. Use CB-604 Soft Fan to apply 2-3 coats of S-2101 Crystal Clear Brushing to the entire tile.
  12. Stilt and fire to shelf cone 05-06.

Supplies

Form

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

Colors

  • S-2101 Crystal Clear Brushing
  • UG-222 Soft Yellow
  • UG-226 Lavender
  • UG-227 Concord Grape
  • UG-230 Blue Grass
  • UG-232 Olive

Decorating Accessories

  • CB-604 Soft Fan
  • Sgraffito Tool

Miscellaneous Accessories

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

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