Modeling tools and found objects such as forks, knives, an old toothbrush, can be used to make marks in clay. Objects from the natural environment can also be used to create surface impressions. Leaves, gum nuts, sticks can all be used to impress textures into clay.

Impressing Texture – Soft clay takes an impression very easily, so this is an ideal way to start experimenting with textural decoration. After rolling out a slab you can experiment with pushing or rolling objects over the clay. You can apply texture by placing items such as netting, lace, corrugated cardboard, leaves, feathers, different fabrics etc... on to your slab and applying pressure from the back with a rolling pin.

Piercing – Piercing means cutting through a clay surface to make a hole. You will need a sharp craft knife, thin pottery knife, or hole making tool to pierce clay successfully. Extreme care is needed to avoid weakening and cracking the pot. It is most important to have your piece leather-hard so it is firm enough to hold its shape while piercing but not too dry to break.

Stamping – a stamp is an object that is pushed into clay to make a print. Stamps can be natural or manufactured and they are usually small enough to hold in your hand. Shells make good stamps, and so do old print blocks – or you can create your own stamps!

*Try creating your own carved stamps - Roll out a 5 cm length of clay. Flatten both ends with your palm or against a tabletop. Use a needle tool or pointed modelling tool to carve a design into the flat ends of your coil to create a raised effect when stamped or carve away a raised design to create an impressed surface when stamped.

Sgraffito means drawing or scratching into clay – the term derives from the Italian word graffiare, to draw. Usually, Sgraffito is done through an application of surface colour to reveal the clay body underneath. It can be done with a variety of tools, from metal loop tools, wooden modelling tools and skewers, to needle tools, and craft knives. Sgraffito can be done through Slip or Underglaze colour and can be done at various stages. When clay and slip coating are relatively damp, sgraffito tools can dig deeply into the background clay.

*Sgraffito Exercise – Practicing on a leather hard terracotta tile is a useful way to experiment with sgraffito. Paint a white slip evenly over the tile and leave it until it is dry enough to touch. Use a variety of pointed tools to draw in the slip and assess the different effects that can be achieved.