Ohmygosh, I’m so happy with how these little guys turn out! I really wanted to recreate the large frog that I made back in the spring, in a smaller format. I also wanted to try out adding crowns – I had initially planned on adding one to the large frog but backed off when I couldn’t figure out how I wanted it to look. The crowns on these small guys were pretty easy to craft and attach.
Using a red clay body, I started each frog body with two pinch pots that I enclosed; I then shaped and attached long legs and arms. I also added additional clay to the heads for the snout and eyes – I was mindful the whole time not to add too much weight and layers to the overall frog body.
Once I was happy with the body shape, I added the crown. After the clay had stiffed up some (not quite leather hard), I began carving and adding texture.
I painted all the underglaze when the pieces were still greenware (not fired). All of the frogs received three layers of white underglaze before adding the various colors. The first frog I painted primarily with the lighter green – Amaco Velvet Cactus – that I had used on my Luna Moth Garden Masks. I was afraid it might come out a little too light, so I want back to the Spectrum – Green Grass underglaze that I had used on my original large three-dimensional frog for the remaining three frogs. The Spectrum – Green Grass is just such a great green! Every time that I have used the raw color (no clear glaze) it comes out of the glaze fire semi-gloss, almost satin. So interesting – I have no idea why! Love it though because it’s nice and subtle.
I really love how I can mix colors and create tints, shades, and tones with the underglazes; just like I would with watercolor or acrylic paints. <3
After the frogs were bisque fired, I added black underglaze to bring out the textures and a clear glossy glaze to the crowns, eyes, bellies, and hands and feet.
I only made four frogs because I wanted to make sure I could construct these and they survive! I kept the bottom of the frogs enclosed – I think that is a better overall look for the pieces. So I made sure to pierce several small holes so that the frogs would survive the firings.
I will definitely be making more, because I absolutely love how these turned out!