Carved Tile VignettePottery 1

Vocab

Vignette - A decorative design or small illustration used on the title page of a book or at the beginning or end of a chapter.

Foreground - the part of a scene or representation that is nearest to and in front of the spectator

Middle ground - a standpoint or area midway between extreme or opposing positions, options, or objectives

Background - the part of a painting representing what lies behind objects in the foreground

Assignment

You will make a 6”X9” or 8”X8” (your choice) clay bas-relief tile with underglaze decoration.

Your tile should have a border of at least ½ inch. You will start with a ¾ inch slab, cut your tile, and

allow it to dry overnight. Your carved design will illustrate a “vignette”.

You will design your own, NO CARTOONS!!! You must make an original picture.

You may choose a picture that is your own but it must be your own photograph.

You will illustrate a single vignette, being sure to include a foreground, middle ground, and background.

When your design sketch is completed, you will transfer your design to your leather hard clay tile.

After bisque firing, you will decorate your tile with liquid underglaze colors. You may apply a clear gloss glaze or leave the matte finish of the underglazes.

Step 1 Roll a ¾ inch slab

and cut to size; Store, covered, on a board. If you want your tile to hang on a wall, you will need to drill holes or create a slot on the back to capture a wall hanger.

Step 2 Design your illustration, being sure to allow for a border of at least ½ inch. Shade to differentiate the foreground, middle ground, and background areas. Include interesting patterns within the design, to be carved as textures in your clay slab.

Step 3 Transfer your design to your leather hard slab. You

can lay your design directly on the slab and pierce through the paper with a needle tool, making very shallow evenly spaced dots to guide you in drawing your design on the clay.

Step 4 Refer to your sketch as you carve, keeping in mind

the three distinct levels of foreground, middle ground, and background. Keep each level in a single plane. Differentiate areas of your design using varied textures on the clay surface.

Step 5 Allow your tile to dry on

your open wire shelf to allow air to circulate and prevent warping.

Step 6 After firing, you will paint your tile.

Grading

Grading Flat clean Slab Smooth edges, the corners are square A clear Foreground, Middle Ground and Background Size is 6x9 or 8x8 ½ Inch boarders Neatness & Craftsmanship Time spent well Proper use of glazing Techniques!