13 Pottery Surface Decorating Techniques + A Glittery Bonus!
From carving to slip trailing, wax resist, and more! Read on for a list of 13 pottery surface decorating techniques from the classical to the contemporary (in alphabetical order)… and a glow in the dark glittery bonus!
1. Carving
Give your piece texture with intentional carvings.
Want some reasons to carve? I discuss my top 3 reasons here.
Unsure what carving tools to use? I’ve got some recommendations.
And check out this video for my trick for a steady carve!
2. Custom Vinyl Resist
Create your own designs with custom made vinyl stickers on a Cricut!
To create your own vinyl stickers, I recommend designing your custom sticker on a drawing software (I use Sketchbook Pro on the iPad). Make sure the design is in black on white (the 2 color high contrast is essential to the printing step).
Once you have your design, upload and print your custom design using a vinyl cutter (I use the Cricut Explore 3). You can also pick pre-made designs through Cricut as well. When your sticker is cut, remove it carefully from the sheet.
Transfer the sticker onto either leather hard greenware or bisque-ware. If using on greenware, layer colored slip or underglaze over the sticker, wait for the slip/underglaze to dry, then remove the vinyl carefully. If using on bisqueware, glaze your piece then remove the vinyl carefully once the glaze is dry.
3. Luster
Want to put some bling on it? How about adding a little gold!
This unicorn’s horn is covered in white gold. Extra magical!
Luster in pottery refers to a type of metallic coating applied to ceramic surfaces, typically as a final decorative layer. Luster contains metallic compounds and comes in white gold and bright gold. You can get a Duncan Luster set here.
The application process involves careful brushwork or spraying onto a glaze-fired ceramic surface before a special luster firing that allows the metallic compounds to bond with the pottery's surface, resulting in the characteristic lustrous finish.
Warning: The smell of luster can be quite strong, so I recommend wearing a respirator or working in a well ventilated space (or outdoors). Pieces with luster are also not microwave safe!
4. Mishima (inlaying)
Carving and the color: inside the grooves.
Though a style originated in Korea, Mishima ceramics gets its name from the Japanese city of Mishima. This surface design technique is produced by inlaying a slip or underglaze into lines or carvings cut into leather-hard clay.
Many people inlay their work by cutting into a leather hard pottery piece, covering the piece with underglaze or slip, then scraping off the colorful layer to reveal the design underneath, this this post by the Spruce Crafts.
Personally, I prefer inlaying by using wax resist. I cover the surface of my leather-hard piece (underglazed or bare) with wax. Once the wax is dry, I will then cut or carve my design into the clay.
The next step is to underglaze the surface once more. This time, the wax, which will burn off in the kiln, prevents the underglaze from adhering onto the surface of the piece, and only the carvings retain the color. You can see a video of my mishima inlay process here.
5. Paper Resist
Paper snowflakes? Paper scraps? Paper stencils! All you need is paper and a pair of scissors.
To create this decorative layered effect, cut some newsprint or paper (like an old newspaper or a fresh sheet of newsprint) into your desired shape.
Use a spray bottle to lightly mist the paper with clean water so that it is pliable enough to apply onto damp or leather hard greenware.
Cover the paper with colored slip or underglaze. Wait for the slip/underglaze to dry then peel the paper off carefully to reveal your design. Voila!
Want some additional paper resist inspiration? Check out this luscious and detailed layered work by Taylor Sijan.
6. Sgraffito
Interested in carving out designs instead of carving them in?
Sgraffito, from the Italian "sgraffiare," which means "to scratch", is a pottery technique where a design is carved through a surface layer to reveal the clay beneath.
To sgraffito, cover the leather hard piece with colored slip or underglaze. Once the slip/underglaze is dry, plan out your desired design lightly with a blunt pencil (a sharp pencil will carve the clay). No need to worry about the pencil marks; the charcoal will burn off in the kiln.
Finally, carve out your desired design with a carving tool (see my blog post about recommended carving tools) or a ball stylus for more detailed carvings. Brush off hanging clay bits with a soft paintbrush.
Diamond Core Tools has an excellent detailed step by step tutorial on how to sgraffito pottery.
Want some additional sgraffito inspiration? Check out this beautiful pottery by Netherland potter Inge Burgerhoudt of Kleur Keramiek.
7. Slip Trailing
Want to add (instead of subtract) to create texture? Consider slip trailing!
Slip trailing in pottery involves using slip into a squeeze bottle or a fine-tipped applicator like this bulb applicator from Xiem. The slip is then “trailed” or drawn onto the surface of damp pottery to create raised lines, dots, or intricate patterns.
For examples of stunning slip trailing, check out Kristen Kieffer’s work.
8. Stamping / Imprinting
From letter stamps, to textured rolling pins, to custom 3D printed stamps, the options are endless.
There are so many ways you can stamp designs into your greenware. Here are a few!
Bisque-fired Stamps: Make your own stamp designs out of clay and bisque fire them. The bisque fired clay is still absorbent enough not to stick to damp clay, and helps produce beautiful bespoke stamps.
3D Printed Stamps: Got access to some 3D printing technology? You can print your very own designs like the one featured above on the red mug. When stamping with 3D printed plastic, be sure to lightly coat the surface of your pliable yet firm clay with cornstarch so the plastic doesn’t stick to your clay.
Textured Wooden Embossing Rolling Pins: There are so many to choose from! My favorites are from the MKM Pottery Tools Store, but you can find cheaper options like this set from Amazon that work just as well. The large rolling pins marketed for cookies and baking, like this gorgeous detailed floral wreath one, work marvelously, too!
Found Objects: Got some lovely maple leaves in the backyard? A doily? A fishnet? A stencil? An ear of corn? A rock from your child’s pocket? You can use anything with texture to imprint into clay.
Linocuts: You can carve out your own stamps out of linoleum, wood, or even a rubber eraser! Check out this video I made of how I use custom linocuts in my work.
9. Tape Resist
Like the look of a crisp line on bare clay? A roll of tape might do the trick!
To try this technique for yourself, place and cut your vinyl tape or masking tape or car detailing tape of choice (I find success with vinyl) on a bisque fired pot. Be prepared to take some time on this step. Taping this cup took me about 45 minutes.
Then, glaze the piece and carefully peel off the tape when the glaze is dry. Correct and clean up as needed.
Want some taped pottery inspiration? Check out this incredibly detailed work by Mathew Arnold (talk about patience!).
10. Underglaze Painting
Going for detail and vibrant colors? Like paint or watercolor, underglazes can produce artful imagery and precise designs.
Underglazing is a decoration technique where pigments are applied to pottery before it is glazed, either at the leather hard, bone dry, or bisque ware stage (I have found most success at the bone dry stage because the underglaze dries quickly and fires onto the piece during the bisque firing).
There are a lot of underglaze options to choose from, so make sure you pick something that is compatible with your clay and glaze firing temperatures. Colors will vary based on which cone you are firing at.
I recommend this set from Mayco and this set from Speedball as good starter sets for mid-fire clay and glazes. If you prefer specific colors, Amaco Lead Free Velvet Underglaze is good, too, like this electric blue one I like to use. You can also try underglaze pencils and chalk crayons for another look!
Want some additional underglaze inspiration? Check out this intricate underglazed work by Françoise Han (I have one of her sgraffito mugs!)
11. Underglaze Transfers
Gaga for patterns? Big fan of fun wallpaper? Underglaze transfers might be your thing.
Your can order underglaze transfer sheets with your preferred design and color (like Elan Transfers or Plum Island Transfers). Rice paper transfers work on soft, medium, leather hard, bone dry and bisque ware. Newsprint transfers work best on medium to leather hard clay. Follow the instructions as outlined on your product package.
Want to create your own underglaze transfer sheets? You can! Use a squeeze bottle (like this one from Blick) or a brush to design your pattern onto a sheet of newsprint (like these from Blick). Check out this demo on Youtube by Victoria Nicole Art.
12. Water Etching
Sometimes you may just want to wipe the decorative surfaces into view…and keep them subtle.
Water etching in pottery involves using water to erode the surface of clay, creating texture before firing.
To water etch, first paint your desired design onto a leather hard or bone dry piece using wax resist. The wax resist will adhere to the pottery and “resist” the water that will be used to etch around the wax design.
To etch, once the wax is dry, use a damp sponge and gently and repeatedly wipe the surface of the piece. This process will remove a layer of clay off the surface, leaving a subtle raised shelf where the waxed design remains. The more you wipe, the deeper the etching. The wax will then burn off during the bisque firing.
You can find a video tutorial on water etching by Amaco here and a series of step by step photos of the process by Gary Jackson of Fire When Ready Pottery.
13. Wax Resist
Looking for a more freehand decorative option that doesn’t involve carving or stencils like paper or tape or vinyl? Try wax!
Wax resist in pottery involves applying wax, like this one from Amaco, to certain areas of the ceramic surface to prevent glaze from adhering, resulting in contrasting areas of color or texture after firing.
Wax is typically brushed onto the bisque-fired pottery before glazing. During the glaze firing, the wax burns away, leaving behind the desired pattern or design where the glaze couldn't adhere.
On this featured bowl, the wax was applied in a fernlike motif onto a bisque-fired piece that was underglazed with Mayco Marine Blue underglaze.
BONUS: Glitter Resin!
A magical filler for your clay carvings? Yes, please!
After your piece has been glaze fired, you can fill in carvings with UV resin!
On round vertical surfaces, I recommend UV resin because it cures quickly. You can get a UV resin starter kit here. You can buy colored UV resin like this red one, or make your resin colorful with pigments or glittery with ultra fine glitter.
You can even make your pottery glow in the dark by using glow in the dark glitter!
Note: This blog is not sponsored. However, as a Blick.com and Amazon associate, I do earn from qualifying purchases. As an artist, every bit of support counts!
