How to Make a Fish Impression in Pottery

Working in clay means plenty of options in size, shape and texture. You can carve into a clay slab, build up a texture on a vase or simply paint a pattern on a pot in glaze. If you want to create a fish impression in your pottery project, there are a few options you can use to create your effect. Whether you want a realistic look, a stylized fish or a smaller design you can repeat over and over, using a fish impression in clay is a fun way to leave your mark. Here's how to get started.

Things You'll Need

• Rubber fish stamp
• Clay
• Kiln
• Water
• Petroleum jelly
• Slip
• Fish

Instructions

1. 

   Buy a plastic molded fish for art making. Art suppliers such as Saxs Arts and Crafts and common hobby shops like Michaels sell plastic fish and other animal shapes made for crayon rubbings or stamping. Use them for pottery by wetting them thoroughly and pressing into damp clay slabs or lightly applying to pots or cups. You can also cover the mold in slip (very watery clay) and stamp the impression that way for a softer look.

2. Use a real fish. Although a bit awkward, using a real fish is a viable option for making a fish impression in clay. Wet both the clay and the fish and then apply the fish to the wet clay and press down. Don't worry if fish scales remain on the clay, as they will burn off in the kiln. Select fish with a strong fin to make a good impression.

3. 

   Create a ceramic stamp. Make your own stamp to use over and over again. Start with a smooth slab of clay and then using a coil create the outline of the fish as well as any other fish features you want to use. Once you get the coils in place and secured to the slab, take a small carving tool and add more details on the coils to make a more unique fish impression.

4. 

   Use a rubber stamp. Small rubber stamps are available with fish images that can be used on some pottery pieces. Apply water or Vaseline to the rubber stamp and press lightly into a smooth, wet slab or pottery piece. This is a good way to make a complex pattern on a piece. Simply apply the stamp repeatedly to create a design.

Tips & Warnings

• Try out your stamps on a sample clay slab first to determine how hard you need to press and how detailed your impression will be. Wash stamps and fish between each impression to keep your stamp clean.

• Don't press your stamps into the clay too deeply or the stamp will clog and tear away the clay on your project.

Resources

• 123 stitch fish stamps