Ceramic Review Masterclass: John Pollex

John Pollex takes us step-by-step through the processes and techniques he uses to make and decorate his painterly pieces. 1. I use white earthenware clay for my work, making mostly plates, slab pots and teabowls that I throw and handbuild. My large plates measure 30cm after firing. When the clay arrives it is usually too soft, requiring me to leave some out to stiffen before I start making. 2. When the thrown pieces become leatherhard and I have trimmed the bases, I brush three layers of black slip on them. The reason for this is that during firing some of the colours can slightly burn out if not applied thick enough. A black background provides the base with more substance than a white one. 3. I weigh out 25g of body stain/underglaze colour before adding it to 10g of water in a 450g yogurt pot. Once the stain has dissolved, a creamy white slip is then added to make the base slip ready for painting. The consistency of the white slip should just slowly run off a spoon. 4. Plot