Sgraffito Sgraffito is the

technique of incising down through a layer of applied contrasting slip or underglaze to the clay body below producing an outline drawing.

Glynnis Lessing

Kathy King

More Sgraffito Examples

Crystal Nolfo~Brown

What’s your design? To begin, you need a theme and inspiration

Nature or Industry, Rural or Urban, Abstract or Cultural Brainstorm ideas for all three. Do you want to make

a statement, tell a story, make a cultural connection? Once you have an idea, start to look for visual

imagery to use as reference DO NOT copy a design exactly, be inspired but make

it your own. Complete 6 thumbnails of different possible designs,

then choose your best and do a full size final drawing Remember this must be a LINE drawing or design Craftsmanship is important and the key to success!!!

Task: Sgraffito Tile Plan out and draw your final design at full size (no

smaller than 4”x4” and no bigger than 6”x6”). PREPARATION & PLANNING ARE ESSENTIAL. Roll out a tile to the size you planned using low fire

clay at 3/8” thick, then coat with contrasting colored slip.

Decide on your color plans – What color slip or underglaze? Where you are going to apply the slip?

Think about what will be White (the clay), what will be colored (the slip/underglaze).

When drawing is complete, copy onto tracing paper. When tile/slip is dry to touch, transfer your design

and begin scratching away areas as planned.

Ready to begin?

① Roll a slab. You must do this before you leave today!!!

② Work on your planning and design while clay dries – you want it dry to the touch

③ If/when dry enough, apply the contrasting slip or underglaze color

④ Work on finalizing your design while the slip dries

⑤ Transfer your design when slip is dry to touch

⑥ Begin carving your design