Creative Process

There are infinite ways to bring an image to life on a pot. Lately I’ve felt the urge to return to old-school, analog drawing methods. Here’s a look at my current surface design process using underglaze to bring my original illustrations to life on stoneware clay.


THE DRAWING:

A thin layer of commercial engobe is used to prime my canvas; I choose to apply this at the bisqueware stage when the pot is easier to handle. The white engobe really helps my underglaze color POP. Simple images get drawn directly on the pot. For more complex imagery, I create a sketch on paper then duplicate the main outlines on tracing paper. Thin and flexible, tracing paper easily bends around the curves of the pot and still allows me to see through to my canvas. After rubbing a number 2 pencil on the backside of the tracing paper, I lay the graphite side against the pot and apply pressure over the linework to transfer the image. This drawing can be reused multiple times. A black underglaze pencil is used to make any changes and finalize the sketch. I like to run each pot through a second bisque firing, which sets the engobe and burns off the excess graphite, leaving only the clean lines from the underglaze pencil.

THE PAINTING:

Hands down, my favorite part of surface design is working with color!
Here are a few tips for working with underglaze:

Work in layers. Apply 2-3 layers of underglaze to achieve an opaque, vibrant color palette. I use a combination of Amaco, Speedball, Mayco, and Chrysanthos underglazes.

Considerations for color: Analogous colors (colors next to each other on the color wheel) are great for blending, whereas complementary colors (colors across from each other on the color wheel) are good for creating areas of high contrast, like separating your subject from the background. It is easier to blend by overlapping the edges of two colors while the underglaze is still wet. I share many videos and tutorials of this process on my Instagram account @ellencduvall

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Frequently Asked Questions:

Firing and Finishing

I use two dark stoneware clay bodies: Standard's 266 and Armadillo's Cinco Rojo. Both of these fire to maturity at cone 5.

All of the bottoms of my pots are sanded smooth using Diamond Core sanding pads.  Exterior underglaze surfaces are treated with Liquid Quartz after the final firing to help protect the surface from dirt and dust, and for ease of cleaning.  Liquid Quartz is a food safe, waterproof sealer manufactured especially for use on functional ceramics.

Pricing

Prices are based on the time and effort involved in the creation of each handcrafted item.  I take into consideration the level of detail, method used, time, material costs and size.

Shipping

I am currently only shipping to the US and Canada, but hope to expand to international shipping in time.  Shipping charges are calculated based on the size and weight of each package, as well as the destination.  If you purchase multiple items going to the same address, I will refund shipping overages if I am able to safely package your items together in a single box. 

I take extra care to ensure your package arrives safely to your home.  I try to keep my packaging as environmentally friendly as possible.  I purchase recycled paper packing supplies from a company called Eco Enclose that offers sustainable shipping materials. 

Refund Policy

All pottery forms and surface designs are my own original work. While I try to capture multiple viewpoints of each pot in my photographs, some variations in color might be present. Each piece is photographed both in natural daylight and in a lighted photo booth.  No filters are used.  While each piece pot is a unique piece of art that takes hours to create, no piece is perfect. Please enjoy the unique qualities and imperfections inherent in these handcrafted items.  I truly put my heart into all of my work. 

I do not offer returns and replacements of my handcrafted products, so please select your purchases carefully.  It is very important to me that your piece functions as expected. If you discover a crack, leak, or other defect that affects the function of the pot, please notify me as soon as possible via the "Contact" form. 

Thank you!

I appreciate all of my customers and am grateful to spend my days making handcrafted, functional items for people to use and love.