I have been using wetted paper as a stencil between layers of coloured slips. The design can be an intricate image, or merely torn strips as Raider Pierre Coupey has done. I decided to cut random angles in the sides of my strips of newsprint and then experiment with two or three possibilities for the overlaid slip. Porcelain slip on an earlier plate was pleasing. On pieces in my recent firing I tried using black slip and my semi-transparent off-white slip. Below are some pieces on which I tried out the technique.

This first effort, on a plate and a jam-pot, has too much going on, perhaps because the overlying slip isn’t a strong enough contrast.

This next group has loosely applied black slip. I think the relaxed application doesn’t help and the contrast is too much.

On this little plate I like the colours and the more subtle top slip. The triangles underneath are echoed by the removed paper triangles.

For comparison I’m posting my earlier plate. I think I like this one and its matching yunomi the best. I’d welcome any opinions on which you like and that might give me some ideas for further explorations.

Apart from those I also made some other brightly painted pieces, without paper resist, just using slips and underglazes. .. maybe too much?

There were five sugar/jam-pots this time, all painted rather enthusiastically. My nephew and his family have chosen the most successful one, with random vertical paint strokes. The blue gives some nice depth.

And finally I did post my new big mug on Instagram and the Clay Buddies facebook page for Mugshot Monday. The terra sigillata on the handle feels smooth and comfortable and is a nice contrast to the shiny glazed body of the mug. It looked most cheerful on this sunny Thanksgiving Monday with Fall colours around.

Today’s task was to wrap up all the jugbirds for their trans-Atlantic migration. I managed to fit a dozen for Primavera into a suitable ‘carry-on’ sized box. Wish me luck with them.

I hope to be able to attend TriCity Potters’ AGM and meeting on Wednesday evening before Al drives me to YVR on Thursday for the overnight flight to Heathrow. I won’t write any more blogs until after I get back home at the end of the month.