Extra large stoneware bowl - blue sgraffito with pearl white glaze

Bringing together many different ceramic art styles, this extra large bowl is quite spectacular! 

I started by rolling out a thick layer of stoneware clay to form the base. Once that compressed and the initial round formed, height was added by rolling out and connecting coils of the same clay. Connecting these really well is always important, but in a big piece like this, absolutely, as otherwise the clay would crack before it is even dry enough for that first bisque firing. 

Once the bowl's rough shape was formed, it was time for the little tweaks and huge job of sgraffito (scratching patterns through coloured slip into the leatherhard clay). Having painted coloured decorating slip over the whole inside of the bowl, it was time to start the design. I made a rough drawing of my idea on paper beforehand, but then went "freestyle" on my design inside. This process takes hours, but is quite meditative, and I love it. 

Once the sgraffito drawing / scratching part was completed, I pinched the walls of the bowl with the tips of my fingers, ensuring the organic feel is carried in the whole piece. 

Due to the size, air drying it on a shelf took a couple of weeks, but resulted in a happy, solid bisque bowl after the firing to 1000°C. Usually sgraffito is finalised with a transparent glaze over the patterns, but in this situation, a soft, pearl white was used, as the softer look was better suited to the overall organic feel. 

A bonus of pearlescent glazes is that it also gives you the "light source" look which I adore - at night or when displayed around candlelight, the blues is slightly more towards the dark blue / navy side where it peeks through. Outside or with bright, white light, a lighter, brighter blue joins the party! Never the same, never boring! 

The final firing to 1,220°C vitrified the clay, turning it into a permanent, non-porous, glass-like stoneware piece.

Approx* measurements: 28cm (diameter) x 7cm (height)

Microwave and dishwasher safe

* Please note that due to the handmade nature, measurements can vary with up to 1cm.