Figurative pieces

My work is all made entirely by hand

Each piece starts with a drawing from life, from a life model. I draw and redraw the figure until I have a shape that I think will work as a pot, usually a jug.
From the drawing, I roll and cut clay slabs, and shape them, work on them until I have the form I want. 
I let this form dry for a day or so, and then paint many layers of coloured liquid clay (slips) onto the piece. I burnish the surface, and draw through one layer of slip to expose the layer beneath.
The pot is then allowed to dry, fired to 1000 C (bisque) glazed inside and fired again to 1120 C. 
The porcelain pieces are fired higher - to 1300 Celsius in a reduction gas kiln.