Making pottery is my passion and I love finding new ways to decorate my pots. Last year I was looking for a way to make colorful images on my pots.

First I tried painting underglaze onto bisque ware and covering this with a clear glaze. Underglazes, which can be mixed like acrylic paints, look similar in color before and after they are fired in the kiln. However, even when I applied three coats of the underglaze, the image didn't have the effect that I was looking for as the results were often streaky and didn't seem to blend and flow with the design of the cup. Since I like the beautiful fluid appearance of glazed pots, I tried painting with different colored glazes, but glazes don't mix together like paints. Often the darker colored glazes will overpower the lighter glazes. Another problem with using glazes to paint is that they change colors when fired. This makes it difficult to imagine what the final product will look like.

After several failed experiments with glaze painting, I decided to combine glazes with underglazes. This creates the fluid look of glazes combined with the detail and colors of underglazes. This butterfly coffee cup in (Fig. 1) illustrates the results of combining these two mediums. Here’s how:

Preparing the Cup for Decoration
Start the process by throwing a simple coffee cup using white clay. I use cone 6 B-Mix stoneware. The shape should be simple so that it does not detract from the decoration. Allow the cup to dry to the leather hard stage and then trim it and apply the handle. Once dry, bisque fire the cup to cone 04. (Fig. 2)

Next, sketch the butterfly design onto a piece of paper. If you like, scan it into your computer so that you may resize the design. I use a drawing program called Paint Shop Pro. You may skip these steps and just draw the butterfly directly onto the cup with a pencil. (Fig. 3)

Butterfly Decoration
Begin decorating the cup by painting the butterfly with a cream colored glaze. I use Coyote cone 6 Eggshell glaze. Thin the glaze to the consistency of thick cream and apply 3 coats. Each coat of glaze should be applied in a different direction so that no brush strokes show, once the cup is fired. (Fig. 4)

When the glaze is dry, paint 3 coats of Electric Blue underglaze over the Eggshell glaze. Once this underglaze dries, apply the Violet, White, Leaf Green, and Red underglazes. To complete the butterfly, use a small detail (liner) paint brush to apply Black underglaze for the veins and the outline. Do not paint the antennae, at this time. (Fig. 5)

Before working on the background areas, paint liquid wax over the butterfly to resist the next glaze application. You should also wax the lower edge of the cup so that the glaze will not stick to the kiln shelf. This wax must dry for at least 4 hours before you can proceed to the next step. (Hint: I tint my wax with green food coloring to make it easier to see. The food coloring will burn out in the kiln and will not affect the design.) (Fig. 6)

Cup Background Decoration
Now coat the remaining areas of the cup with a light blue glaze. I use Coyote cone 6 Opal glaze. This can be done by dipping the cup into the glaze or you may apply 3 coats of glaze with a medium glaze brush. You should also glaze the inside of the cup with the Opal glaze. (Fig. 7)

Once the glaze is dry, it is time to embellish the Opal glaze. This is done by painting some underglaze accents over the Opal glaze. Use Leaf Green and the Dark Green underglaze paints. These accents will give the illusion of grass in the background areas of the cup. At this point, paint on the butterfly's antennae with a Black underglaze. (Fig. 8)

Finishing the Project
The final step is to paint the entire cup with the green wax. This will keep the underglaze from peeling off of the Opal glaze. (Fig. 9)

Now that the cup is completely decorated it is ready to fire to cone 6 in an electric kiln.

Your newly decorated cup will make a beautiful vessel for your favorite coffee or herbal tea.