natural finishes without clay

[jparker]

Hi,

I am sculpting figurative sculptures using a raku clay the figures go from a smooth tacktile touch to a rough textured base. I dont like the finished that a glaze gives as it covers the clay - i am wanting to find a more natural look to each piece not covering the clay but letting it come alive - giving it an almost bronze or natural rock look, holding small amounts of colour within the textures that i create.

I have used red iron oxide an maganise but still not happy with the results and wondered if anyone had any other suggestions i could try?

I am also interested in using a small amount of colour in the cracks i create. i am adding a Turquise matt stoneware glaze at the moment which i dab on and wipe off, i would like to use vivid reds greens and blues maybe in enamel but again im not sure what would be best and what sort of enamel i would need to use.

any suggestions?

Jennine

[Merlion]

I have similar experience after firing my buff raku clay pieces. They become rough because of the grog in the clay. What I do afterwards depends on the shape of the pieces. Sometimes I leave it rough. Sometimes if the detailed shapes are not important, say a body torso, I glaze to smoothen it, and the grog being an oxide leaves a spotted effect.

About the intriguing cracks in the glaze due to cooling contraction, I once tried what you did, applying color and wiping off. But it was a black ink rather than enamel paint. Although the ink can be wiped off with a wet cloth, the ink that goes into the cracks stays there, as these are minute cracks.

[saisuhang]

After low fire, the clay sculptuer will be wipe off its color. I am worryied about this!

[dondougan]

If your work (raku) is not supposed to be functional why not try non-firing methods of finishing?

Because I like the crisp quality of the modelled clay I work my fired stoneware and earthenware pieces with a variety of finishes. Glazes seem to hide a great deal of the subtle little surface textures I find so lively, so I use waxes, stains, metal-leafing, and sometimes paints, all applied post firing. I also come back with abrasive tools (I am primarily a stone carver, so I have lots of abrasives!) to modify the surfaces either before or after application of color/finish.

There aren't any rules except what you make for yourself.

Don

[saisuhang]

I understand what you said and change my work method.Thank a lot!

[fused]

Another finish on bisqued clay is gesso with oil paint rubbed into it. My preference is Mars black, but I've used a variety of colors to nice effect.
I like the added textures of brush strokes and fingerprints, but gesso can
be built up in layers and sanded to as fine a surface as you require.