This is a return for me to work started in Brussels two years ago, using the striking, age-old combination of cobalt oxide on pure white clay. Perhaps influenced by the 17C Delft tiles and the Portuguese azulejos I am familiar with, I have tried to use the same colours to create a light, modern, impressionistic design.

The first challenge was to throw the cylinders as thinly as I could, as the effect of the design is lost if the piece, once finished, feels heavy in the hand. The second challenge was to design appropriate thrown lids that fit well. In this second set of jars, I made the cylinders narrower, improving the relationship between their height and width. Also, I realized the lines here must be straight, and that the top diameter of the cylinder must be the same, or smaller, than that of the base. Finally, the clay surface must be as smooth as possible, with all distracting trimming lines removed.

Once bisque fired, I carefully apply seemingly haphazard smudges to the bisque-fired surface, while making sure no fingerprints inadvertently stain the white surface Then I complete the design by painting the final lines using varying intensities of the diluted cobalt wash. I then quickly pour a transparent glaze over the inside surface, and out again. Finally, I lightly spray the outside using an atomiser. I keep the glaze quite thick, to get a slightly pebbled texture to the outer surface.

Dimensions:
ht 19 cm, dia 6.5 cm;
ht 14 cm, dia 6 cm;
ht 12 cm, dia 5 cm
Clay: Frost, cone 6 porcelain fired to cone 6, in oxidation.
Cobalt oxide (with Gerstley borate) applied to bisqueware, front and back.

Reverse view, below: