Regi-Inspired (Pokemon) Mug Set
A set of 6 large mugs that's design was inspired by the 6 Regi Pokémon. This was a very early on project for me in my ceramics career. It was my first attempt to make a consistent set, as well as mixing throwing and hand building together. I was very happy with the process and I learned a lot, despite the end result not going as planned! Read more about my full creation process below.
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The Process
The Beginning
This was a very early on project in my ceramics career. I wanted to include it on my site just to show where I started, and also how far I've come.
This was one of the first projects I did where my goal was to create a consistent set on the wheel, while also combining wheel thrown pieces with hand-building elements.
Much of the process for these pieces was a experimenting as well as learning (both in what works well, and what doesn't).
1: Wheel Throwing
I began with throwing the base form of the 6 mugs on the wheel. I used an Amaco warm brown stoneware (that I no longer use because I wasn't a fan of it).
I used tools to measure and get each piece to be as close to the same size as possible. Five of them at one size, and one at a larger size.
They weren't all exactly the same, but for my first time trying to throw consistent forms, I was pretty happy with the results.
2: Hand Building / Sculpting
I wanted each piece to have a custom design based on the form of the 6 Regi Pokémon (see reference here). I then hand-built onto the forms while they were still soft to create designs inspired by the photo. I used a combination of sculpting additional pieces onto the forms, as well as carving different patterns into it.
3: Glazing
Typically in my process now-a-days I would underglaze the pieces while still in the greenware stage. But for this project I waited to do it after it was bisqued.
I used Amaco Velvet Underglazes to hand-paint on all of the colors and details of each design. I used 3 coats for each color, and painted the whole piece (inside, outside & bottom).
Then I dunked them in a Mayco Matte Clear glaze.
4: End Result
Unfortunately these pieces did not survive the final firing. The kiln had just been repaired and this was the first firing and it over-fired (went higher than cone 6) and cause all of the pieces to melt except for one.
The largest piece (Regigigas) was the only one to survive.
Even though they didn't turn out in the final firing, I wanted to include photos of them just to show the end result.
Social media has taught us to curate our life and art by only showing us at our best. And making it look like everything we do is perfect and great. But I think it's important to sometimes show our failures, that it's okay that everything doesn't turn out perfect. But you can still learn a lot and enjoy the process.