“Everyday Awesome”

clay sgraffito project

• Sgraffito = an Italian word that means “to scratch away”

• clay sgraffito = scratching away a layer of underglaze to reveal the white clay underneath, typically done to create a design or pattern

• Underglaze = a special type of glaze that can be applied to greenware, typically matt (not shiny)

• Greenware = dry, unfired clay

• Hatching = shading lines that all go in the same direction

• Cross-hatching = shading lines that crisscross

• Stippling = shading by using dots

Examples of Cross-Hatching, Hatching & Stippling

Project #1• Create a slab 6 inches x 6 inches• Paint underglaze over the entire slab while the clay is

still wet• Add 2 paperclip hooks to the top, while the clay is still

wet• When dry, scratch in a picture of your choice of an

“everyday object”– Example: scissors, animal, car, – No logos or patterns or words– Use all 3 shading techniques: hatching crosshatching and

stippling• The purpose is to learn sgraffito & to appreciate the

interesting things around us that we often overlook

Project #2 • Create a 3d rectangle out of slabs = 4”x6”– Smooth it out PERFECTLY

• Paint with underglaze while the clay is still wet• Pick a theme of your choice– Example: Nature, bugs, everyday objects, car parts, fame &

fortune, cooking, etc• Sgrafitto every side with a different image that goes

along with your theme– Hint: trace the photo onto the clay itself with a pen or

pencil• FRONT: white background & black/dark sgraffito

image• SIDES: black background & white/sgraffito image

We are working from pictures. Print out your

picture in BLACK AND

WHITE