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T2 Danica Wichtermann - Masterclass - Sgraffito workshop

from A$130.00

1 day - Thursday May 21st, 10am - 2pm

SORPC Members: $130 Non-members: $160 12 places

Masterclass: Sgraffito & Surface Development

(Plates, Slab Forms or Vessels)

Workshop Overview

This masterclass offers an in-depth exploration of sgraffito: a decorative technique in which

layers of coloured slip or underglaze are applied to leather-hard clay and selectively carved

away to expose the contrasting clay body beneath. Emphasis is placed on achieving clarity

of line, controlled incision, and effective contrast through deliberate removal of surface

colour.

Participants will examine timing, moisture management, and intentional mark-making

processes critical to successful results. The session is process-driven, technically focused,

and adaptable to mixed ability levels.

Attendees may create a slab-built plate or form during the workshop, or bring a leather-hard

vessel or slab piece to refine through carved surface decoration.

Participants Will:

 - Explore coloured slip and underglaze layering for depth and contrast

 - Refine timing and moisture control for clean carving

- Develop sgraffito techniques using a range of specialist tools

 - Translate botanical, drawn, or abstract imagery into clay surfaces

 - Strengthen understanding of line, repetition, texture, and composition

A slab roller will be available so all participants can create a test or finished slab piece.

Those bringing leather-hard vessels will receive guidance on working across curved

forms.

Danica provides demonstration works and specialist carving tools. A materials list can be

supplied as required.

Content is tailored to participant experience, available facilities, and desired outcomes.

What to Bring:

 A leather-hard plate, slab form, or vessel suitable for carving (stoneware

recommended)

 Sgraffito tools (if available)

 Apron

 Closed-in shoes

 Optional reference drawings or imagery

 Pencil and paper for sketching (optional)

Design development, simple pattern strategies, and effective repetition techniques will be

discussed during the session, allowing participants to generate ideas on the day if

preferred.

Breaks will be scheduled as appropriate. Bring something to share for our lunch break.

Option:

1 day - Thursday May 21st, 10am - 2pm

SORPC Members: $130 Non-members: $160 12 places

Masterclass: Sgraffito & Surface Development

(Plates, Slab Forms or Vessels)

Workshop Overview

This masterclass offers an in-depth exploration of sgraffito: a decorative technique in which

layers of coloured slip or underglaze are applied to leather-hard clay and selectively carved

away to expose the contrasting clay body beneath. Emphasis is placed on achieving clarity

of line, controlled incision, and effective contrast through deliberate removal of surface

colour.

Participants will examine timing, moisture management, and intentional mark-making

processes critical to successful results. The session is process-driven, technically focused,

and adaptable to mixed ability levels.

Attendees may create a slab-built plate or form during the workshop, or bring a leather-hard

vessel or slab piece to refine through carved surface decoration.

Participants Will:

 - Explore coloured slip and underglaze layering for depth and contrast

 - Refine timing and moisture control for clean carving

- Develop sgraffito techniques using a range of specialist tools

 - Translate botanical, drawn, or abstract imagery into clay surfaces

 - Strengthen understanding of line, repetition, texture, and composition

A slab roller will be available so all participants can create a test or finished slab piece.

Those bringing leather-hard vessels will receive guidance on working across curved

forms.

Danica provides demonstration works and specialist carving tools. A materials list can be

supplied as required.

Content is tailored to participant experience, available facilities, and desired outcomes.

What to Bring:

 A leather-hard plate, slab form, or vessel suitable for carving (stoneware

recommended)

 Sgraffito tools (if available)

 Apron

 Closed-in shoes

 Optional reference drawings or imagery

 Pencil and paper for sketching (optional)

Design development, simple pattern strategies, and effective repetition techniques will be

discussed during the session, allowing participants to generate ideas on the day if

preferred.

Breaks will be scheduled as appropriate. Bring something to share for our lunch break.

Danica Wichtermann’s (Rediscover ceramics

https://www.rediscovering.com.au | FB: DanicaWCeramics | @RediscoverCeramics

Nestled in the foothills of Perth in Wattle Grove, I’m a ceramic artist and educator creating work that reflects my deep connection to the Australian bush. My name is Danica Wichtermann, and through my studio, Rediscover Ceramics, I craft porcelain vessels and artworks inspired by the native flora, fauna, and fragile ecosystems that surround me.

My journey with clay began in 2006 and has since evolved into a practice that bridges storytelling, education, and environmental awareness. Working primarily with Southern Ice Porcelain, I create wheel-thrown vessels that feature carved illustrations, botanical textures, and detailed surface finishes. The external surfaces are often left unglazed — smooth, matte, and tactile — inviting you to hold them and feel the work embedded in every form.

Many of my pieces feature Australian native plants and birds, including threatened species such as the red-tailed black cockatoo. I’m particularly drawn to capturing the quiet details that connect us to Country — the curve of a leaf, the mark of a feather, the story of what’s vanishing and what remains.

I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Diploma of Education from Curtin University, and I’ve been teaching ceramics since 2008. For over a decade, I worked as a high school art teacher and have run community workshops, artist-led school incursions, and professional development sessions for educators. Teaching has become inseparable from my art practice — I love sharing my knowledge just as much as I love making.

My work has been exhibited in respected galleries including Aspects of Kings Park, John Curtin Gallery gift shop, The Studio Gallery in Yallingup, and Moores Gallery in Fremantle, and is held in private collections across Australia and internationally.

Creative process starts its humble beginning on the pottery wheel. Mounds of clay are shaped into forms that serve as canvases for intricate carving and line work. Impressions from nature inspire textures and patterns that are meticulously carved into the clay and inlaid with colour to create striking contrasts.

Each piece is carefully glazed and finished to perfection. They are not only works of art but also functional, durable, and safe for everyday use.