If you love working with underglaze pencils (like my favorite Pasler!), you'll know sharp tips make all the difference. But keeping them smooth and smudge-free on bisque can be a challenge. Here's how I do it, and also how the Pottery Drawing Transfer Guide can help take your transfers to the next level.
1. Sharpen Like a Pro
Start with a craft knife and P60 sandpaper. Use the knife to sharpen your underglaze pencil. Follow up with the sandpaper to refine the tip, this ensures you get clean, thin lines that won't drag or scratch the bisque. Some pencils can be overly rough if not sharpened properly.
2. Draw Over Your Bisqued Piece
Make sure your piece has already been bisque fired, then go ahead and draw your design. The pencil lines should be precise and smooth.
3. Protect with a Sponge-Glaze Base Coat
Apply a light coat of glaze over the pencil lines using a sponge. This seals the design and prevents smudging when you brush on additional coats.
4. Layer with Confidence
Brush on three even glaze coats, waiting for each to dry fully before adding the next. If you'd rather dip, you can, but the sponge-first method gives you way more control to preserve your drawing's detail.
5. Fix Mistakes with Gentle Sanding
Not happy with your drawing? Lightly sand it off with P60 sandpaper, just be gentle. Blow away the dust. I avoid using erasers because they can dirty the bisque more than a fine sandpaper does.
