Sgraffito
Sgraffito is a decorative technique in ceramics that consists of cutting, scratching or incising the top layer of engobe, glaze or even the clay itself, to reveal the contrasting color of the underlying layer. This process allows the creation of intricate and detailed patterns, taking advantage of the natural contrast between the color layers. The most commonly used tool for this technique is the awl, but blades, gouges or any pointed object that allows precise strokes on the surface are also used.
Sgraffito is ideal for creating geometric decorations, landscapes, narrative scenes or abstract designs. The technique allows for broad artistic expression, as the contrast between the scratched and unintervened areas creates a visual duality that highlights the details of the design. The depth of the cuts, the direction of the lines and the color combination of the layers can be experimented with to achieve unique visual effects.Interesting Fact
In the ceramics of ancient Persia, sgraffito was used to tell stories or depict scenes from daily life, turning the pieces into authentic visual narratives. Meticulous detail was achieved using extremely fine tools, and some of these works are still preserved in Islamic art museums.Helpful Tip
To achieve a clean and precise sgraffito, it is recommended that the engobe or glaze layer be in a leather-hard stage (neither too dry nor too wet) before making the cuts. In this way, unwanted lifting of the top layer is avoided and a more defined stroke is obtained. Using different tools with tips of different thicknesses allows for a variety of textures and lines of varying thickness.
