Experiment with different combustible materials
Horsehair is just the beginning. Different materials create different marks.
The experiment
Prepare three identical burnished pots (same clay, same burnish quality, same bisque temperature).
On removal from the kiln, apply:
- Pot 1: Horsehair: delicate, flowing lines
- Pot 2: Obvara (fermented flour/sugar/water solution): dripped or splashed for organic, map-like patterns
- Pot 3: Feathers: broader, softer marks than horsehair
Document the results
- Photograph each piece from multiple angles
- Note which materials gave you the most control
- Note which produced the most interesting surprises
Obvara note
The obvara solution (flour + sugar + water, fermented for 3–7 days) creates bubbly, organic patterns when splashed onto hot ware. It's messy, unpredictable, and produces results that look like ancient maps or topography.