Safari Episode 4

Change of strategy for the third series

So, with an elephant “gone wrong” (Episode 3), and the colors still not quite what I have in mind, I am starting my third series of these safari animals. My aim is: straight standing animals, nursery/pastel matching colors for the whole series, all tails and ears intact.

In short, the perfect series! 

My plan is clear. Make the larger animals out of thicker clay slabs. Bisque fire. Apply engobes with a brush, not the underglaze we sprayed on the previous series. Fire at bisque temperature again.

Dip in transparent glaze.

Final firing.

It sounds, like nothing can go wrong: been there, done that and it should be a breeze. But believe me, none of this is a breeze…

I am delibaretely teasing the ceramic devils to play havoc by using  engobes, of which I do not really know the fired color result. The engobe formula is new and testing has only just begone. The first color test wheel/plate is quite restricted. I am guessing what colors could come out of other pigment combination.

To say the least: risky business. ☺

Am I mad? 

Only partially. ☺

My confidence is boosted that this can work because of my recent series of 6 parrot plates where I used these engobes for the background. The colours came out vibrant and without blemishes. I also consider the extra firing, that will secure/fix the colors, a bonus. Anyway, I am now at a point that if I need to make a 4th and even a 5th series to get there… I will! 

I so badly want this to become just how I envisioned it right from the start.

Fingers crossed… things go according to plan.