"Sunny Side Up" 3-D Clay Painting

Materials:

pre-mixed moist red earthenware clay
white clay slip or white under glaze (Duncan or equivalent)
colored, semi-transparent under glazes (Duncan E-Z Stroke Underglaze or equivalent)
clear gloss glaze (Duncan Envision Clear Gloss or equivalent)
dimensional glaze (Duncan French Effects or equivalent)
2 D-strap hangers
two-part clear epoxy
picture wire
slab roller
combing tool
sponge
water
paintbrushes
needle tool
wire brush texturing tool
plastic wrap
pillow
rolling pin and canvas covered board - optional

1. Using a slab roller or rolling pin and canvas-covered board, pound the red earthenware clay flat to 1 inch and then roll out a sheet of clay at least 3/8 inch thick and 2 to 3 inches larger on top and side than desired finished size.

2. Score the back of the piece with a grout tool or other ridged tool. This gives the epoxy, which holds the hanger something to "grab" onto (figure A).

3. Smooth or texture the front of the clay sheet with a combing tool (figure B).

4. Paint the red clay base slab with white clay slip or a slightly thinned coat of white under glaze (figure C). Tip: Thin the white clay slip to expose the red clay a little after the piece is finished. Mark the rectangle with a needle tool. This will contain the painted image on the front (figure D).

5. Allow the piece to dry just until you can paint on background:

• Apply under glaze colors, two shades of blue for the bottom of the front image (figure E) and yellow and orange for the top of the image (figure F) without disturbing the white undercoat.
• The base slab needs to remain damp enough to allow attachment of the damp three-dimensional pieces.