Engobe technique

Engobe is a slip, which is the name for clay in a liquid state. You can add it as an extra color to the pottery. When the clay is about leather hard you paint the engobe with a brush. All kinds of colors engobe are available.

Glaze

When the first firing (biscuit) is done, you can glaze the clay. There are various ways of glazing an object. The most common way is holding the object somewhat tilted in the container and pour the glaze over it with a ladle. You need to fire it again at a higher temperature.

Click at the clay objects to see the detailed photographs.

Painting

After the first firing painting the object is a possibility. To get a bronze effect you paint the object brown. Use acrylic paint because it is fast drying. The second layer must be green. While you paint wipe it off a bit. If it is dry a touch of gold paint for shadow will do.

You either can use paint or varnish, but you also can use beeswax or shoe polish for a gloss. If you want to put the object outside you should remember that you bring it inside again in wintertime as the clay is not frost proof.