Colored Slip and Underglaze Techniques with Julie Harbers

Color before the kiln—discover surfaces beyond glaze

If your finished pots are starting to look familiar, this workshop offers a fresh approach to surface decoration that puts color, texture, and intention directly into the clay. In this hands-on session, artist Julie Harbers will guide participants through the creative possibilities of colored slips and underglazes, focusing on techniques that add depth and individuality without relying on glaze alone.

Participants will explore the practical differences between slip and underglaze, learn best practices for using each, and mix their own colored slips using a simple, adaptable method. Demonstrations and guided practice will cover newspaper transfers, slip trailing, sgraffito, and carving techniques that create layered, dimensional surfaces. Students will leave with a toolkit of processes designed to expand their surface vocabulary and push their work beyond standard glaze applications.

Learning Objectives & Expected Outcomes:
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Understand the differences between slip and underglaze for surface decoration

• Create their own colored slip using an accessible, repeatable process

• Apply techniques including sgraffito, newspaper transfer, and slip trailing

• Develop unique, expressive surfaces that do not rely on glaze for color

Materials to bring:

• 3–4 wrapped leather-hard pieces (1–2 lb size, such as cups or bowls)

• Any clay body; forms should be smooth, free of surface texture

• Handbuilt or wheel-thrown work is welcome