Trying sourdough art for the first time can be both exciting and challenging. When I made my first attempt in 2024, I didn’t use a proper lame but an expansion lame instead, which made scoring the dough a bit tricky. Scoring is essential because it controls how your bread expands during baking, and it can also create beautiful patterns that turn a loaf into a piece of art. From my experience, starting with simple designs and learning the proper techniques can greatly improve your sourdough art. Using a sharp lame specifically designed for bread scoring helps achieve cleaner cuts. Also, practicing gentle but deliberate slashes on the dough surface allows the design to open up nicely while the bread bakes. Another tip is to make sure your dough is properly proofed—not too under or over-proofed—as this affects how well your scoring will show up. Trying different scoring patterns inspired by peppa pig or other art themes can be fun too, as it motivates you to experiment and improve. Through trial and error, I’ve learned to appreciate the creativity and patience involved in sourdough baking. If you’re new to sourdough art, don’t be discouraged by early attempts; each loaf is a learning opportunity and a step closer to mastering this craft.