hi what tool do you use for sgraffito?
hi! I use a few different tools and I’m actually glad to be getting this question now because I recently got a new tool and wanted to write down my impressions
(I’m not sponsored or anything, I just like these)
my favourite tool is Kemper’s wire stylus, it’s a very fine tool and doesn’t generally leave furrows in the clay. plus the shape of it keeps me from accidentally carving too deep
I find Xiem’s ribbon tools incredibly useful for different sized marks, carving a smoother surface, or creating certain textures
and this is the new one I got about a month ago, Kemper’s small double-ball stylus. I know a couple other sgraffito artists who swear by them, but it’s not my favourite. it can carve some very fine lines but I find it often leaves furrows in the clay and I have to go over my lines a second time to clean them up 🫤 and it can slip and carve too deep as well if I accidentally use too much pressure
but it can carve tight circles and small loopy shapes much more easily than the wire stylus, so I’ll definitely still use it for some details
