Here is another set of baby cylinder people. They are made from low-fire white clay and colored with Velvet underglazes. Take a look at these portraits first.
I’ll remind you how I color these figurines. After they have been fired once and are durable, I paint their faces with Velvet underglaze Jet Black. I then take a wet cloth and scrub at the black; it comes away from the raised sections and stays in the crevices. It also stains the white clay a pale black/gray. It depends on how hard I scrub as to how much color remains.
To make their colorful outfits, I cover the entire figure (except faces) with Jet Black. Then I paint other underglaze colors on top, letting the black show. After I’m finished, they are fired again and all the colors are permanent.
OK, now you know their secrets!
These figures were done in February 2019, fired at cone 06.
Marvelous fellows!
Thank you. I like making them. A good combination of creating a face and also getting to do all those patterns.
Oh what an eccentric and fabulous-looking quartet!
Thank you. I really like making them. They are simple, but they have my favorite things – a face (I enjoy making faces) and then they can be “dressed” in all those colors (I like making patterns).
I love the way they hug themselves! something we should all do more (K)
Thank you. I think they are satisfied with themselves in the best kind of way. Know who they are and be who they are, that’s heaven if you ask me.
Something to strive for.
I am always completely charmed by your little people. I am especially drawn to the chap on the right who looks deep in thought.
Thank you. I still marvel at how the same basic elements can make such different faces. And, though I have some idea what the face will portray when I do it, it’s only when the underglaze wash is put on and the details come out that I can really see what the personality will be. Always a surprise.
I never found my ladies from you while we were in New Jersey, but they are on our mantle here in Wisconsin. I was so happy to see them. Thanks again.
You’re welcome, and glad they are back in sight again. I send good wishes for your new home!