Using Stencils

We have discussed stencils in relation to ceramics and the procedure is basically the same for enameling. Fire a base coat of enamel and apply gum to the enameled piece as you would for a simple dusting technique. The stencil shape can be cut from newspaper or paper toweling with enough margin left around the cut-out area to protect the rest of the piece from undesired enamel. Place the stencil on the enameled surface, dust on a contrasting enamel and then remove the stencil carefully without disturbing the enamel. Enamel that has become dislodged can be pushed back into position with a fine brush.

While this is an easy way to enamel a design, the hard outlines of the stencil are not always attractive. To soften such a design, go over the edges with wet charge. This will go a long way toward eliminating the obvious and mechanical stenciled appearance and will add a great deal of richness to the decoration. You can also add other non-stencil touches-shading, metal foil, over-glaze lines, etc.-anything that will make the effect less commercial.

Illustration 154
This compact was also stenciled with enamel.

Illustration 155
(Below) White enamel has been dusted on the edges of a fired black enamel piece, and lumps and threads are put on with tweezers.

Lumps and threads

Enamels are available in unground form as well as ground and are generally sold as lumps and threads. The threads are long thin strands of unground enamel which can be broken up into various sizes with a hammer. The lumps are placed on an enameled surface and fired. This is probably the easiest way to design an enameled piece since nothing more complicated is involved than placing the lumps on the piece. The use of enamel lumps should be kept to a minimum, mainly for accent. Transparent lumps can be especially effective when placed over metal foil, which produces jewel-like effects.

Keywords: Ceramic Decorations, Ceramics Decor, Ceramics, Painting

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