Combining techniques of ceramics

In enameling, as well as in ceramics, techniques can be combined and arranged in endless ways. The wet charge technique can be vastly improved by the addition of dusted enamels used to shade the flat areas and to soften the background. On the other hand, if dusting is used as the basic technique, a few wet charge accents will strengthen the decoration. (See Appendix.)

A sgraffito technique can be combined nicely with silver or gold paillons. After the paillon has been given a coat of transparent enamel and fired, dust an opaque enamel over it, covering it either partially or completely. Then sgraffito lines or small areas through the opaque enamel. The resulting lines or areas will be metallic foil. With this technique it is possible to do away with the sharp edges of the paillons which are apt to produce a pasted-on effect. Wet charge can also be used to cover up the hard edges of the paillon. An added advantage of sgraffito or wet charge over foil is the pleasant fact that the paillons do not have to be cut in such precise shapes since the sgraffito or wet charge will dictate the contours of the design, rather than the paillons themselves.

Dusted enamel over lines of gum or squeegee oil can be used as a guide for subsequent decoration as well as a complete decoration in itself. Draw the design with gum or oil, dust with enamel and fire. Then fill in the outlines with wet charge. Or you can paint

Illustration 157
This 10-inch enamel plate required seven firings. It combines dusting, sgraffito and small accents of wet
charge.

entire areas with the oil or gum, dust with enamel, fire and apply a second coat with wet charge.
These are but a few of the ways in which the various techniques can be combined. The further you progress, the more combinations you will discover that can be used to enrich your enamels.

Keywords: Ceramic Decorations, Ceramics Decor, Ceramics, Painting

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