AusBonsai

Hi All,

I am after constructive feedback on a pot finish I am undecided about....
Disregard the actual pot as it hasn't fired as flat as it should have - from what I learnt on this pot I think I have now ironed out production techniques for the larger, flatter pots!
I am more interested in what people think of the finish.
I have textured the pot and haven't glazed it as such. It is an engobe finish which is a mix of liquid clay and some glaze to create a matt/satin finish.
The different colours are different thicknesses of engobe with the base clay showing through.

As a complete bonsai novice, I would like to get an idea of whether those of you who are experts would consider this finish too 'noisy' or that it would compete with the tree/s.

Thanks in advance!
MadPotter

Hi,

In my opinion, the haphazard lines (scratchings?) detracts from the pot. As you said it's noisy.

I do like the white fading into clay colours though.

My 2 cents.

Hi Tracy, for me the slip or glaze or whatever you like to call it works well. Earthy off-white/cream colors go with a variety of natives and deciduous bonsai. As for the texture - personally textures that look a bit too mechanical, contrived or man made don't do it for me. I don't mind cracking or fissured surfaces but they need to be organic or have a natural randomness. Un-natural tool marks, scratches or grooves tend to be hard to pull off and a bit distracting. Having said that, my mum experiments with a lot of similar textures and some people like them. Generally after I give her my opinion on a pot, suggesting it doesn't work for me, someone will pick it out and buy it! So I'm sure some people see it differently.

Hi Tracy - nice pot but a little "noisy" from distraction from those sharp marks. Simple earthy / organic tones are sure a safe bet.

Cheers,
Hal.

Yep.
Glaze = good
Marks/Scratched = no good.

Not exactly sure what you're talking about re "firing flatter"..
However I will add this (potentially irrelevant) 2c.
Especially in smaller pots I personally like the pot walls to be thinner.
It allows more soil/substrate and looks nicer. Sometimes non-production quantity pots seem to use too thick a clay for mine.

Especially in smaller pots I personally like the pot walls to be thinner.
It allows more soil/substrate and looks nicer. Sometimes non-production quantity pots seem to use too thick a clay for mine. - Boics

Thanks All -very interesting.
I was unsure about the texture and I think that was what was bothering me about the surface. Just couldn't put my finger on it...

Boics - this pot is just on 55cm long and 38cm wide - how do you feel about the thickness at that size?

The finish is Very Very Very Cool just as it is ! I can see a number of Natives and Exotics sitting well with that. Some trees will marry and compliment with it others will contrast and counter balance with it. I would definitely use it. BTW I'm no expert!

Hey madpotter ,
Love the colours and the finish . While I can see why the lines dont do it for some , like they said others will like it .
I personally like them adds a different character , different is good !! Keep it up great work !!

Hello Madpotter,

I like the pot too.
The colours are attractive to my eye.
Scratch marks - IMO would look better being all vertical with fewer and less deeper gouges.

Kevin

I really like that!
It's got a kind of Bronze-age vibe.
If it were mine, I'd be planting a Hawthorn in it....

Cheers
Thymetraveller

I really like the glaze/colour, I think the scratches could work better if they were more subtle and varied. More like a graze than a deep gouge and a bit more random.
It's a real art making something look truly random.

Keep it up! Looking forward to seeing more of your work!

Thanks everybody for the feedback - very much appreciated.
Once again I find that, on asking for advice, responses show that there are many different schools of thought!!
I will take on board your suggestions.
Thanks again
Tracey
(Mad Potter)

Definitely like the shape, and colour but as a few have pointed out don't like the scratch marks... Definitely suits our natives... Paperbarks... Figs ... Think your on a winner.

You might be able to get some interest into the plain engobe by varying the thickness (dribbling, slathering, whatever) or by using iron oxide under the engobe. Marks and textures that work on general pottery sometimes attract too much attention to the bonsai pot, and distract from the tree. It's tricky to make it interesting but not "noisy", as you say.

Best of luck, good start.

Gavin