View Larger Image Elina Brandt-Hansen creates intricate patterns in colored porcelain, then applies thin layers over her stoneware sculptures.

February 13, 2008

Colored Porcelain Patterns

by Elina Brandt-Hansen | Read Comments (0)

I started to make surface embellishments for my sculpture out of colored white stoneware. After a short time, I noticed that I had to add up to 20% of certain stains in order to get the desired color. I realized that this method of coloring was far too expensive. I observed that colored porcelain offered me the range of colors I desired and wondered if it was possible to wrap stoneware pieces with thin sheets of colored porcelain. This would be cheaper than coloring white stoneware all the way through. Using slip was out of the question, because I wanted to use the plastic properties and qualities of the clay.
To my great surprise, this technique worked perfectly, despite the 10% shrinkage difference between the porcelain and the stoneware. This combination only worked if the stoneware contained approximately 40% molochite grog. With this success, I was able to continue working with quite large, thick stoneware pieces yet still achieve the bright colors of porcelain.
I begin by packing layers of different shapes and colors together. I follow a sketch to keep track of which color and shape is underneath. When the block is complete, I cut thin sheets at the cross section of the block to produce a thin, usable pattern.
For many years, I have been rolling these thin sheets of patterned colored porcelain on top of slabs of stoneware (any size) or wrapping the sheets around stoneware coils that are up to 3 centimeters (1-1/4 inches) thick before cutting the coils and slabs into pieces.
An in-depth profile, expanded explanation of Brandt-Hansen's studio methods and more images of her work are available in our new book, Throwing and Handbuilding: Forming Techniques.