Using a RB144 #4 Soft Fan, apply 2 coats of UG51 China White evenly to the outside of the vessel. Since the piece it leather hard, you will need to wait additional time in between coat for them to fully dry (so you can touch it without creating blemishes).
Once the underglaze is dry, apply 1 coat of AC302 Wax Resist. This will help preserve the clean white surface as you are carving through into the brown clay.
Using a pencil or marker, lightly compose your design on the piece.
Using your favorite carving tool, outline the entire design. Once outlined, carve out the background of the design by removing one stroke at a time. These ones are vertical but feel free try out different patterns. You can create some interesting dimension by hatching at different angles or by creating movement in the background.
Allow the piece to dry. Once it is bone dry, clean up any extra blemishes or boogers that remain throughout your carving pattern. Doing this too early can smudge your edges and design.
Bisque fire your piece to cone 06-04.
Using an CB624 #4 Glaze Fan, apply 2 coats of SW225 Lily Pad to the entire piece. Use the stiffness of this brush to pull the glaze out of the texture. You do not want it to be applied too thick or to pool or it can distort the carved design. Apply a third coat to the inside of the vase.
Clean the bottom of the piece with a damn sponge.
Place directly on the kiln shelf and fire to cone 6.
