As part of #heyclay I’ve created a quick Sometsuke demo. Swipe through to see each step I take when decorating my work. I use a mixture of cobalt oxide and tea, creating 3 different tones that I use to build up my design on bisque ceramic. Rather than using water for the mixture, tea allows the cobalt to bond stronger to the surface. Steps: 1. Using a graphite pencil lightly draw your design onto the ceramic surface. When fired in the kiln the graphite will burn away. 2. Using the lightest tone paint the areas that you want to be the lightest in colour. When fired it will be a light shade of blue. 3. Using the middle tone, darken up the areas, again when fired it will be darker than the first tone. 4. When you are happy with your shading add the line work using the darkest tone. For this step I use a very fine brush to get cleaner lines. 5. Add any extra details and you’re done! Add a transparent glaze over the top preferably by dipping, pouring or spraying. Do not brush on the glaze as it will smudge your design! Check out the other workshops taking place this weekend as part of #heyclay from these makers and get involved! @ceramicstracey @roisinceramics @drysdaleceramics @zaraceramics @clairemccceramics @aaronstewartceramics @craftscouncil @uu_cjs @belfastschoolofart @uusu_online @uniquebelfast @uusuvpbelfast @louoboyle @ulsteruni @ulsteruniartsevents @craft.ni #heyclay #getcreativeathome #proudofuu #bsoa2020 #nationaldrawingday #nationaldrawingday2020 #ceramics #slipcast #sometsuke #surfacedecoration #painting #cobalt #cobaltoxide #tea #drawing #illustration #demo #animal #bunny #rabbit #belfastschoolofart (at Lisburn) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAQRj7xjSN2/?igshid=6p6phgwmbm2l