To create sgraffito designs in my pottery I paint many layers of an underglaze color on a leather hard white stoneware clay body after it is thrown and trimmed. When the underglaze color has dried, I fit the design I have sketched on paper over the pot and retrace the lines, leaving an impression in the underglaze. From there I use a very small carving tool to scratch through the underglaze revealing parts of the white clay body. The carving process is intricate and takes many hours depending on the design and size of the piece. However, I enjoy this detailed process and the way it translates to the final artistic design of the piece. Following the carving, the piece is bisque fired after which I apply a clear glaze then return the piece to the kiln once more for a glaze firing. Below are some examples of my sgraffito pieces.

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