Since ancient times, people have made practical, beautiful and classic pieces of pottery. We still do today. The pottery made by our ancestors for use in their households, their religious ceremonies and their economy allows us to discover details about mankind’s history.
People enjoy seeing various types of decorated pottery, however they are decorated. This is not surprising, because humans have always been a visually-oriented species. We all appreciate seeing complementary designs, contrasts and colors in our pottery.
Nowadays, we have so many ways to decorate pottery items that the sky is the limit. And since pottery decoration is a form of artistic self-expression, you can do whatever your heart desires and nobody has the right to lambaste you over it.
Three easy ways to decorate pottery can get you started. Each method has its own aesthetic benefits, and none of the methods is better than the others. This means that no matter which method you choose, it will be a good way to begin decorating pottery.
You can use easy-to-apply decals. These are colored patterns in every conceivable design from apples to zebras and everything else in between. You can usually buy them from ceramic stores and sites although many people have been known to create decals of their own for a more personalized touch. For example, you can take a romantic picture of the soon-to-be-wedded couple, make decals out of it and then incorporate them into the mugs as wedding favors.
Before firing the pottery items, you must place the decals on the surface. The temperature must be at 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, which will cause the pale colors of the decals to come alive, so to speak. You will end up with a rich palette of colors that make the pottery stand out.
You have oxides to play around with as pottery decorations. Oxides contain very strong colorants so much so that just a little bit will go a long way in adding bright spots, swirls and slashes on the pottery material. Just confine the oxide to about 2 to 8 percent of the solution or else you will get black as the final color. Also, it is important to use a mask or a respirator when handling dry oxides, for your own safety.
You can use several methods to apply oxides to pottery. It can be brushed onto glaze, bisque and green ware. You can use an overlapping technique to brush two oxides onto pottery. Simply brush it on, allow it to dry, and then scratch it with a sharp implement. You can achieve an assortment of effects by experimenting.
Sea shells can also be incorporated into pottery. It’s a very simple process and it might seem as though you are hearkening back to your roots because many ancient pottery shards bear imprints of sea creatures.
Simply embed sea shells into your piece of pottery before you fire it in the kiln. The result is a unique piece of pottery that you can give as a gift or can become the centerpiece of a wedding with a beach theme.
When it comes to pottery decorations, just let your heart and your hand become your guide and you will never go wrong in creating beautiful pieces of art.
While Deci enjoys making handmade pottery in her studio, nothing brings her more pleasure than seeing the look on a new students face when they finish their first piece of pottery. Deci has been making pottery for her pottery store for over 16 years and this she still feels that look is indescribable.
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