Blue Bird Plate
This design lends itself well to the bowls and plates, however other greenware can be used.
The materials needed for this design are:
Duncan EZ
Strokes translucent underglazes:
EZ023 Midnight Blue
Sable brush
Liner brush
Sgraffito tool
Sponge Brush
Soft Pencil
Duncan GL612 Diamond Clear Glaze
1. Sand and clean the greenware. Using a cleanup tool to remove any large amounts of clay left on the greenware, then sand smooth with the sponge. Finally wipe down the greenware with a damp sponge.
2. Pencil or trace the outline of the bird onto the greenware. Draw in the branch that the bird is carrying following the curve of the birds wing.
Note: This design utilises the translucent paint to give definition to the birds wings and body, hence brush strokes are very important. You can make a trial run with water instead of paint to practice the stokes if required.
3. Paint the body of the bird with Midnight Blue paint. Ensure that you load the brush with enough paint to allow one smooth stroke from head to tail.
4. Paint the wings using the same technique, where the brushstrokes overlap you will get darker lines, this will give the definition to the feathers. Start along the top edge of the wing and work down & back towards the body
5. Using the liner brush add the fine tail feathers.
6. Paint in the branch and leaves using the liner brush and Midnight Blue.
7. Add the sets of three dots around the bowl to fill in the larger empty areas.
8. Paint the rim using the sponge brush to get an even finish, and sgraffito in the pattern around the bowl rim. If the rim dries out to much before the sgraffito work has been finished you can use the sponge brush and some water to dampen the paint, this helps to stop the paint from flaking off the greenware.
9. Sign your name on the back.
10. Bisque fire.
11. Glaze, fire again and enjoy!
