This post is overdue by a couple of days, but don’t worry – I am not feeling guilty about it. On the contrary, I feel pretty proud of myself that I abstained for as long as I did since I’m trying to wean myself off my addiction to the computer.
I’ve traced the paper template for a large mug onto linoleum
I decided to take my paper cup template that Annie shared with us during a workshop I took with her 2 weeks ago and make a custom lino-cut in the shape of the template with very specific imagery. Before making this, I decided if it works out I’d make some more linoleum blocks to add to my repertoire. One of the hazards of taking workshops is that my work could end up looking like the presenter’s work and that’s the last thing I want to do.
Freshly cut linoleum
Since the template is basically a cone shape, I have found that the flat rectangular linoleum blocks don’t print the way I want them to since there’s a curvature once the mug is assembled. I used my poppy linoleum cut as reference for this one.
Freehand drawing in pencil
Traced the drawing in sharpie marker
Many of you thought that the black sharpie drawing was actually underglaze or some other material to transfer the image block to clay, much like a paper print. At this point, I’m simply using the lino-cuts as texture tools to transfer the imagery to clay. It sure as heck beats hand-carving each and every piece. Essentially, the carving is done only 1 time when I make the lino-cut and I’ll be able to use this for years. The sharpie marker basically firms up and simplifies where I need to cut since many of the pencil marks overlap.
Freshly carved lino-cut
Finished stoneware relief printed poppy mug
Well, it’s almost finished – this one is still green and must survive the bisque and glaze firings. I’m not in love with the handle template and am trying to figure out how to alter it to suit my tastes. I’m starting some glaze testing too using mason stains as colorants. I want a bright sherbet Technicolor palette. Some where in my blog travels one of you mentioned Colour Lovers – which is this wicked cool web based color and pattern maker. You can browse the libraries or make your own palettes and patterns. My daughter and I played around with this site the other day for hours.
I’m not sure whether or not I’ll be able to truly achieve this bright of a glaze palette since glaze chemistry is tricky. I’m going to start with the use of mason stains and need a couple of good base glaze recipes. I already have the celadon color so I really only need to work on the other 4. Yesterday, I spent the day reading up on the use of Mason Stains as colorants in glazes vs. oxides. From what I’ve read, the reds, pinks and oranges sometimes need a higher calcium based glaze to achieve the color shown and the presence of zinc can change the color. So, some testing is in order in the next week. I think I’m going to head over to the Colorado Potter’s Guild studio on Tuesday evening to mix up a few 100 gram batches of 2 different base glazes to start with. The glazes also need to be transparent to highlight the texture on my new work.
Frog Stoneware Box
On Saturday, afternoon, I finished up the second of 2 boxes I assembled last week. My relief printing efforts are the result of all the hand painted porcelain boxes I’ve made in the past couple of months. The boxes are incredibly time intensive and I need to be able to work more efficiently.
Duds
This became apparent when these boxes came out of the kiln either glazed shut or some otherwise damaged. I was heart broken, but if ceramics teaches anything it’s humility and working out the technical aspects of working with clay. So, after briefly flirting with getting a 9 to 5 job, wiping away my tears and frustration, I became determined to figure out how I can make better work with minimal losses. Somehow, the prospect of becoming a claims adjuster trainee for an insurance company just doesn’t sound too fun or glamorous.
Meanwhile, I have been losing tools left and right in the studio. I know that they can’t just get up and walk out the door and that they’re in there somewhere! The problem is that my studio hasn’t been properly cleaned in months. 1/4 bags full of different kinds of clay littered the floor, dust was everywhere, clay bits and scraps everywhere, trash, bits of paper, notes etc. were strewn about. So, I spent yesterday afternoon cleaning my studio top to bottom. It’s sparkling clean (well as sparkling as a ceramic work area can be) and ready for a new productive making cycle.
Have a great week,
~Cynthia
13 Responses to “Custom Lino-cut Template for Handbuilt Mugs”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Mornin’ Cynthia
Lids glazing shut is every potter’s nightmare. (As well as teapot holes glazing over.) Haven’t made too many lidded casserole bowls, but when i do have taken to firing the lid and body separately.
I glaze them at the same time, but fire the lid propped up on kiln stilts. Seems to work.
Hope this helps for your boxes are much too pretty (and labor intensive) for the experience you just went thru. I’d cry too !!!
Hugs
Chae
I absolutely LOVE the lino-cuts that you’re doing, and I love how you’re turning them into templates too. Brilliant!
I feel your pain on the pieces getting glazed shut. I think all potters can feel your pain….
One tip that I have is to mix a little bit of alumnina hydrate into your wax and wax both the pot and the lid with it. It’s like using wadding between the pieces, but in a very thin layer. you still get to fire the pieces together so they can warp together (if they are so inclined). I use it in the soda kiln since you basically have glaze flying everywhere and you have increased risk of pieces getting hermetically sealed. You’ll end up with white powder residue, but it’ll wash off easily after you’ve fired the pieces. It’s not 100% perfect, but it’ll increase your odds of the lid being a separate piece after the firing!
Can’t wait to see the lino-cut pieces when they
oops!
–
Can’t wait to see the lino-cut pieces when they’re fired!
Awe..sorry about the boxes. I absolutely LOVE your POPPY DESIGN! Cynthia you are on to something there…really! I know you are focused on the stains but I tried black glaze (Licorice MC6G) and just put it into letters and than the glaze in the circle of the Plate and it looks stunning. Maybe worth a thought? Also I really love this BASE glaze.
It’s more transparent than glossy.
Feldspar -G200 20.0
Frit Ferro 3134 20.0
Wollastonite 15.0
Kaolin EPK 20.0
Talc 6.0
Silica 19.0
I even put Licorice OVER it this glaze on a bowl rim and the black stayed PUT didn;t move at all. Good Luck..I love your WORK!
Mary
Hey I like the new template for your blog…cute and more you!
Hey Chae – I like to fire my lids on my boxes so that if warping occurs, they warp together. Though, I know someone else who fires their lids separately. But, know I’m on to a new way of working that will hopefully help out time wise.
Thanks for the comments Emily, I did add alumina hydrate to my wax but I think the culprit was that my glaze was too thick (it was towards the end of the bucket). I had that little voice in the back of my head that said, “maybe you should thin that a bit”, but I didn’t listen. Most of the lids, I can knock off by gently tapping with a rubber mallet, but not these. My husband wanted to get out the dremel tool, but I said no – live and learn. I’ve got 2 new lino-cuts in the works
Thanks Mary! I am going to try a couple of recipes out of MC6G – but want really colorful – like jelly beans. I was thinking of trying the black licorice though since I think it would be good to have one in the repertoire. Glad you like my new banner – I played around with this one the other day to match my etsy banner.
It’s as much science as art, isn’t it? That makes you multi-talented I guess, especially when you get it right! Keep on keeping on ~ you’re making great progress from this vantage point.
So you hide the mug seam underneath the handle?
Now that you are all practised up with cleaning a studio, you can come here and clean.
You can say that again, Andrea (about the science and art – not sure about multi talented)
And, thank you!
Janet – yes, I position the handle over the seam to hide it a bit. It’s not really visible on the inside, but on the outside, it’s there, though not glaring or anything. Fly me out and I’ll clean!
That mug looks great with the raised design. Looking forward to seeing it glazed and fired. Great idea with the linoleum.. so many possibilities.
Sorry to hear about your glaze disaster. Always a humbling reminder not to get too attached to your pots, especially before they come out of the kiln. Anyways..Onward and upward eh? Your next ones will be even better.
So sorry about the glazed shut boxes, can you not sell them anyway? I see some sell ceramic ware on etsy with glaze flaws and mention it in their desription. I think they’re beautiful whether they open or not. Was going to mention the rubber mallet (worked on one of my pieces), but I see you already tried that.
I love the descriptions of your processes, can’t wait to see your new lino cut designs after they are fired and am anxiously awaiting your new glaze colors.
I love the drawing! Nice work!
I think your boxes are precious and I’m so sorry about the ones that got damaged and glazed shut, but they still look very pretty and I bet there could be uses for them…maybe in centerpieces or decorative uses.