An example of my "Cowboy series" of plates. I used underglazes in a sgrafitto technique, on a red earthenware plate.

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Underglaze Techniques:

I always (always) decorate bisqueware, never greenware. I am rather "vigorous" when I am painting on my pottery, greenware would never survive! For sgrafitto on earthenware (and occasionally stoneware) I always cover the entire pot with a base color of Duncan's Cover Coat underglaze. (Or, I sometimes use Laguna's underglazes - they are much cheaper, and of excellent quality). Then, I go over the "base color" (think of it as a colored gesso on a traditional canvas) with my design, building up color and detail with other underglazes. I then use the "sgrafitto technique" (scratching into the still damp underglaze) to get an interesting effect. I will use any tool handy to do the "scratching" sgrafitto technique. Usually, I just use the other end of my smaller paintbrush!

Though it usually is assumed that the kind of bright colors I get are best left for earthenware (lowfire) I have had great luck getting beautiful, vibrant color in midrange highfire (Cone 4-6). I have done extensive glaze testing to see which glazes and underglazes survive the stoneware firing process. I have been pleasantly surprised with how many make it! Usually, some of the softer and more delicate pinks and rose colors don't survive. But a few reds and rose colors survive just fine - it just takes some testing to find out which!

I prefer to fire my earthenware at Cone 05. I think Cone 06 is just a little too cool, and some of the colors aren't as vibrant for some reason. Cone 04 is too hot, often burning out some of the subtle rose and pink colors. (Also, if I bisque at Cone 04, I don't want to glaze fire at that same temperature. It's always wise fire your earthenware a little cooler in glaze than in bisque.) I always use witness cones when glaze firing, always. Some of these earthenware glazes must be fired to at least Cone 06 to be foodsafe - and I don't like to take any chances, I want to make sure the firing went just as planned.

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Clays, glazes and potter's wheels:

I'm not much of a fan of mixing my own glazes by hand. I'm just lazy, I guess! I don't like to deal with all the little bags of "dust" (that's what I call them) that are the base ingredients to glaze recipes. So - I rely on commercial glazes and underglazes, so I can concentrate more on my surface design. For midrange stoneware (I usually do Cone 6 oxidation in an electric kiln) I prefer Laguna stoneware glazes. I also have discovered the wonderful line of Cone 5/6 glazes that Georgie's has to offer. (I especially like Nassau Blue and Celadon.) And, Amaco has a great Zinc Free Clear that I use constantly for midrange stoneware. I looks great over my "watercolor" underglaze technique.

For clays, I am almost strictly in the Laguna camp when it comes to stoneware. My favorite clays are Granite (Cone 10), Calico (Cone 5) , SB Red (Cone 5), Porcelain 5 (Cone 5) and the ever-popular B-Mix (in Cone 5 and 10). But there are many more Laguna highfire clays I favor. I love 'em all! However, I don't like their earthenware too much. For earthenware, I find that nothing surpasses Aardvark - their red and white earthenwares are sublime, and rather easy to throw (for an earthenware). I have looked around, and have found nothing better in the earthware department! Another wonderful source for clays is Kickwheel. Their Swan Porcelain is utterly delightful - translucent at Cone 5, not too difficult to throw (for a porcelain!)

For potter's wheels - I like Brent and Lockerbie. A good place to shop for wheels at a decent price is Kickwheel - that's where I got my Brent. But I am also enchanted with the unusual (and wonderfully portable) York Kick Wheel, available through Axner. If you need a small, lightweight kickwheel (and usually don't throw larger pottery pieces) this wheel is the best! And it's incredibly portable.  I loved working on it in the itty-bitty pool cabaña that I used to call my home a few years ago. It is perfect for small studios and apartments! (Just make sure you have a good plastic tarp around it, to protect your floor from clay splatters.) It looks a bit unusual, but it really works!

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Dick Blick Art Materials - one of my favorite mail order pottery suppliers. They sell Laguna, Duncan, and Amaco brand glazes - both earthenware and stoneware. Dick Blick even offers their own line of glazes (I haven't tested them yet - it's on my list!). Plus, they have potter's wheels, and many other pottery supplies!

Much thanks to W. Thompson, for the design of my email graphic!

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