Incising

Incising is engraving by cutting or scraping a clay surface at any stage of the process.  This can be done while the clay is in a stage of drying from soft to bone dry.  When they clay is bone dry you can achieve a more precise line but you need to be cautious about breaking it.  You need to brush off the loose pieces and go over the lines with a damp brush.  Incising becomes sprigging when you but a hole in the clay. I chose this piece called Red Artichoke by Michael Wisner.  The repetitive pattern makes it interesting to look at.  Also, to me it looks as though it is woven even though it's just a triangle shape cut into the clay