Day 3

Teacher demo Slab Rolling AND Sgraffito Portrait Transfer (for next class)

Prepare Your Shelf Concept:

Before attaching your shelf, you need to plan your design with intention and function in mind.

• Know Your Attachment Plan
  Decide how and where your shelf will connect to your portrait slab. It should be level, structurally sound, and support the weight of small objects.

• Consider Hanging Method
  Think ahead about how your piece will hang on the wall. Be sure to leave space for a nail hole or add a built-in hanging system. This is part of your functional design.

• Sketch Your Final Vision
  You should have a clear, labeled sketch of what your finished portrait shelf will look like, including:
  • Shelf placement and shape
  • Any decorative or symbolic elements
  • Hanging solution
  • Optional: Indicate materials or textures you plan to include
  
  

Strong planning now will lead to a stronger, more successful final piece, both visually and structurally.

Prepare Your Portrait for Transfer:

• Digitally: Use a drawing app or editing tool to trace bold lines around the important features of your face (eyes, nose, mouth, jawline, hair, etc.). Focus on outlines, features, and areas of contrast. Consider where you might want to add texture or pattern in your carving.

• By Hand: Print your photo and use a colored pen or pencil to trace the key contour lines of your face. Focus on outlines, features, and areas of contrast. Consider where you might want to add texture or pattern in your carving.

Extend your design down to your shoulders. Avoid letting features "fade off" the bottom of the page. Anything left vague or open at the edge won’t transfer well onto the clay.

Consider how your portrait slab and shelf will connect. Think about where the slab will sit and how the two parts can visually and structurally work together.

Design your shelf with intention. Will it be simple or detailed? Carved or textured? Think about how the design, texture, or symbols on the shelf itself can support or enhance the meaning of your portrait.

Your goal is a piece that feels cohesive, thoughtful, and personal, from surface to structure.

Make sure your lines are clear, intentional, and easy to see, this is what you'll use for your sgraffito carving!

Minimum Requirements:

• 1 Portrait Slab – Slightly larger than A4 size (this will hold your carved portrait - leave room for a nail notch)

• 1 Shelf Slab – Cut and shaped for the base of your shelf (use your template or sketch as a guide)

• Later, you will need 1 Coil added to your completed project as well

• Paint slab with underglaze/slip

Keep slabs even in thickness and cover them carefully when not in use to prevent drying or cracking.

Don't forget to DOCUMENT your process and upload it to your Digital Portfolio 

With the remaining class time experiment with sgraffito designs on your test tile.