December 21, 2001, Newsletter Issue #69: Oxides for Decoration
Tip of the Week
Oxides - Cobalt
Cobalt Carbonate and Cobalt Oxide. This is the most powerful color and produces various shades of blue. It can be harsh used by itself, so is sometimes mixed with iron, manganese, magnesium or copper to create more subtle colors. Like iron oxide, it can be added to glaze, or can be applied to the clay surface and fired to stoneware temperatures. By itself, it will tend to create a dark slate metallic finish.
It can be mixed with manganese and iron to produce rich black slips.
Oxides - Copper
Copper Carbonate and Copper Oxide. (Note: Copper should not be used in soluble glazes for food and drink containers; in addition to not being safe, it will leach into tea for example, making your tea have a coppery taste.) Not very effective used on it’s own. Better to add to or cover with glaze. In an electric kiln, it will create a variety of green shades.
In alkaline glazes it will create turquoises. It may achieve red colors in a reduction kiln.
For more on oxides and their uses/experiments go to: Oxides - http://www.ceramics-tips.com/RscArticleV.asp?id=224
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