Exploring the Art of Slip Trailing in Ceramics
Looking for a surface decorating technique that adds dimension to your pottery? While carving is my favorite way to add texture to a piece, if you are more interested in adding to create texture as opposed subtracting (ex. carving) or imprinting (ex. using stamps), consider slip trailing!
Essentially, slip trailing lets you "draw" on your ceramics with liquid clay, or "slip," creating slightly raised patterns and designs that invite both the eye and the hand to explore.
What is Slip?
Slip is just clay mixed with water until it’s a smooth, creamy consistency.
For slip trailing, I like my slip a little thicker—more like yogurt than milk—so it holds its shape better on the surface of the piece. You can even add oxides or pigments like mason stains to the slip to introduce color.
The decoration on this bowl is made with home-made white stoneware slip died with cobalt oxide. The slip has the same shrink rate to the bowl’s clay body.
Check out Baileypottery.com for a wide array of mason stains!
Most likely, you will be making your own slip.
One way is to collect slip from wheel-throwing — yours or a classmate’s. Get a little collection bowl going of only the finest stuff.
A second way is to take fully bone dry clay (save those scraps!), rehydrate it with some used throwing water, and make our own slip that way. For option two, I recommend blending the slurry in a blender (smoothie time!) or with a drill and mixing drill bit. The blender I have was a second hand blender I got from my town’s Everything is Free page (Honestly, I wouldn’t splurge on this appliance. Once you use the blender for clay, you really don’t want to use it for those yummy kale concoctions.)
Whether you go with options 1 or 2, I recommend straining your slip to make sure it’s completely smooth and free of any lumps. My recommendation for straining is to pass it through a size 60 mesh sieve. You can use a kitchen cleaning brush, a silicone spatula, or a rubber rib to help push the slip through and work out any potential chunks. Have access to a potter’s wheel and looking for some sieving assistance? Check out this video from Old Forge Creations for one of my preferred sieving methods. Trust me, nothing ruins a good flow like a clogged nozzle!
—> Tip: Make sure your slip and your clay body have a similar shrink rate when firing. Ideally, you want to use the same clay for the slip as you do for your piece.
Tools for Slip Trailing
You don’t need much to get started with slip trailing.
A slip trailing bottle is the go-to tool, and it’s basically a squeeze bottle with a fine tip—kind of like a cake decorating tool for clay. You can find different nozzle sizes to play around with line thickness. My preferred slip trailing bottle is the Xiem Precision Applicator, which I also use for decorative glazing. There are similar alternate options on Amazon as well.
Before the Xiem Precision Applicator entered my studio practice, I used to hack my own applicator tools from condiment bottles, ziplock bags (with a hole cut in the corner), and piping bags.
What can I say, potters are notorious for rummaging around kitchens or garages to find things to use in the studio… Whatever works, right?
Slip Trailing Technique
Slip trailing works best on clay that is firm but still has a little give and tackiness to it. If the clay is too dry, the slip will likely crack right off.
To start, load your slip into the bottle and practice applying it with even pressure. Think of it like drawing with icing on a cake or giving your piece its very own henna tattoo.
You can create dots, lines, squiggles, or elaborate patterns.
Some artists go freehand, while others use pre-drawn sketches to guide their designs. Want to ensure your designs really stick to your piece? Consider pre-sketching the design with a needle tool to give the slip a scratchier surface to adhere to.
What I love most about slip trailing is the texture it brings. Unlike painting, the raised lines give pieces a tactile dimension that you can feel as much as you see.
Creative Applications of Slip Trailing
The possibilities with slip trailing are many. You can keep your slip trailing simple with clean, linear patterns or get wild with layered, multi-colored designs.
I’ve experimented with blending slip trailing and other techniques like carving and stamping, and it’s always exciting to see how the textures interact.
Challenges of Slip Trailing and Tips
Like anything in pottery, slip trailing takes practice. Slip trailing also takes grip strength!
Keeping steady pressure while squeezing the bottle is key to smooth, consistent lines. If you’re just starting out, try practicing on test tiles or newspaper first. And remember to give your wrists a stretch!
Be patient during the drying process. Slip trails can crack off if they dry too fast, so slow and even drying is your friend. Covering your piece loosely with plastic or using a damp box (a lidded plastic tub with plaster cast at the bottom of the tub) can help. You can check out this damp box tutorial by Jacquie Blondin Ceramics.
Porcelain slip trail. Notice the small cracks from where the slip dried too fast.
Additionally, since slip contains more water, remember that the height of your slip trailing designs will go down when the water evaporates. This is why I prefer slip trailing with more of a yoghurt-like consistency (even though it takes more force to work through the precision applicator). A too-liquid slip will very likely not hold shape, and they will come out more flat.
Why Try Slip Trailing?
Slip trailing is one of those techniques that allows you to connect with the tactile, meditative side of clay—and honestly, who couldn’t use more of that in their life? Plus, once glazed and fired, it’s incredibly satisfying to run your fingers over the textured surface of a slip-trailed piece.
So, if you’ve been curious about trying slip trailing, go for it! Experiment, make mistakes, and enjoy the process!
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!
