Sgraffito is a decorating technique where you scratch or carve through a layer of coloured slip or underglaze to reveal the contrasting clay underneath. The name comes from the Italian for scratched.
What Is Sgraffito?
The usual method is to coat leather-hard clay with one or more layers of slip or underglaze, let it firm up until it no longer feels tacky, then draw through it with a needle tool, loop tool or dedicated sgraffito tool. The line shows the clay colour against the coloured surface.
Timing makes a big difference. If the slip is too wet, lines smear and burr; if the clay is too dry, the surface chips. Most potters work at medium leather hard and brush away crumbs once they are dry rather than wiping them, which can smudge the design.
Sgraffito is often finished with a clear glaze, so the drawing stays crisp. Strong contrast, such as black underglaze over white clay or white slip over red clay, gives the boldest results.
It is a great technique for people who like drawing, and it suits plates, tiles and the sides of mugs. Brush away dry crumbs outdoors or with a damp sponge nearby, since dry clay dust contains silica.
This pottery glossary entry from Le Studio Art Space is general educational content. Always follow the clay, glaze and kiln makers’ data for your own materials and equipment.