- First, B-clay was rolled out evenly, then placed on a plate mold and is fitted, then trimmed. After the trimming, the clay is left in the mold then placed in front of a fan to dry. Once dry, two-three coats of black paint are painted on the surface of the plate and is left to dry. While the paint drys, an image is traced on tracing paper then is transferred to the dry plate where it is outlined. Using tools, the paint is scrapped away, going around the outline of the image and to present detail. - Even scratches and precision to detail make a successful sgraffito plate. - My inspiration for the sgraffito plate were Koi fish because last year I did a Koi fish water paint picture and I really liked the look of the fish.