Understanding Black- and Red-Figure Vases

The black-figure technique and the red-figure technique were the dominant vase-making techniques in ancient Athens. They are characterized by shiny black gloss on red-orange clay.

Detail: Black-figure interior
 

Creating Black-Figure
In the black-figure technique, figures were painted in solid black silhouette with details added by incision.

To create black-figure decoration, vase-painters outlined the figures and other shapes and filled them in with a liquid slip (clay and water mix). They added detail by scratching lines into the vase's leather-hard surface, then used a three-step firing process to turn the clay slip into a black gloss. The area not covered with slip remained the natural red-orange color of the clay.

The black-figure technique was invented in Corinth in about 700 B.C. and was adopted in the nearby city of Athens about 80 years later. It was popular until about 500 B.C.

Detail: Red-figure exterior
 

Creating Red-Figure
The red-figure technique is the reverse of black-figure. It is characterized by red clay-colored figures and decorations on a black background.

To create red-figure decoration, vase-painters outlined the figures and covered the background with the clay slip that turned black and glossy during firing. They usually gave the orange figures definition by adding lines and washes of black gloss.

The red-figure technique was invented in Athens around 525 B.C. and soon overtook black-figure in popularity. It was practiced until the 300s B.C.