Another way to color your pottery is to mix the raw color with slip the consistency of cream and with it paint a design on the unbaked clay. A little gum arabic added to the slip will make it adhere more closely and prevent its rubbing off. This must be fired before the uncolored glaze is applied. The little bowl ([Fig. 576]) was decorated in this way and the colors used were raw sienna and burnt sienna. But one coat of glaze was given the bowl which makes it look more like old Indian ware than if it had the very glossy surface.
Colored pottery
“In the Bisque”
or unglazed state is often very beautiful and if designed to hold water or liquid of any kind the inside alone may be glazed, leaving the outside in its natural dull and porous condition.
Of the various designs shown here the saucers were used only for [Fig. 563], and the sooner you are able to discard all such aids and depend upon your eye alone to guide your hands the more you will enjoy your work.
Probably you can have your candlesticks fired at the pottery where you get your clay, but if you wish to carry on the work and experiment for yourself secure a kiln of your own by all means.
The Light of the Fairy Lamp.