Question:
How do I apply glaze?
Salt and pepper shaker holes
It is often difficult to keep salt and pepper shaker holes in the top from filling in with glaze during the firing. Next time insert short pieces of toothpick in each hole and put them in the kiln that way. The wooden toothpick will burn out during the firing but will help to keep holes clear of glaze.
Clear Satin Matt
Clear Satin Matt: Cone 4 - 7 Oxidation
Ferro Frit 4508 50.0
Potash Feldspar 20.0
Ball Clay 20.0
Magnesium Carbonate 10.0
Clear to Milky Crackle
Clear to Milky Crackle: Cone 4 - 6 Oxidation
Lithium Carbonate (Toxic!) 25.0
Gerstly Borate 25.0
Zinc Oxide (calcined) 5.0
Calcium Flouride 5.0
Silica 25.0
Bentonite 2.0
Not suitable for tableware!
Satin Mottled Eucalyptus
Helens Satin Mottled Eucalyptus: Cone 5 Neutral Gas Atmosphere. Comment: Results in muddy color in electic kiln. Not suitable for tableware!
Nephelene Syenite 40
Whiting 25
Ball Clay 25
Lithium Carbonate 5
Silica 5
Copper Carbonate 2
Coat marker
A lead pencil is a handy tool for keeping track of the number of coats of glaze you have on a piece. You can write which step you are on over the glaze and the marks will fire out.
Firing reds
The red family of glazes is easily contaminated and requires more venting and a faster firing schedule.
To avoid pitting and pinholes
To avoid pitting and pinholes in your glaze, be sure that your greenware is free of dust before applying glaze. A damp sponge will help to do the job.
Glazes coming out with a grainy surface,
If you have a problem with glazes coming out with a grainy surface, you may be applying them too thin. The best way to correct this problem is to warm piece slightly and apply another coat, then re-fire to proper cone.
Recipe: Aqua Blue Dry Glaze
Aqua Blue Dry Glaze
Cone 2 - 4
Oxidation
Nephelene Syenite 40.0
Barium Carbonate (Toxic!) 30.0
Ball Clay 15.0
Zinc Oxide 5.0
Black Copper Oxide 4.0
Comment: Fast cooling helps preserve color.
Spill base description
Spill base is that class of glaze that is applied over, under or between application of other coloured glazes, causing them to blend and form spill effects when fired.
Recipe: Matt Clear
Matt Clear E/W
Cone 04
Oxidation
Potash Feldspar 46.8
Silica 10.0
Colemanite 11.0
Whiting 13.0
Barium Carbonate (Toxic!) 13.0
Zinc Oxide 4.0
Not suitable for tableware!
Brush Loading
For best results in glazing, be sure to load brush well with colour.
Brilliant Blue Satin
Helens Satin Brilliant Blue Cone 6-7
Neutral Gas Atmosphere
Potash Feldspar 15
Nephelene Syenite 20
Zinx Oxide 20
Silica 5
Barium Carbonate 40
Cobalt Oxide 0.7
Not suitable for tableware!
For special effects
For special effects, you can control how the crystals will run on a piece by actually placing them in certain areas. If, for example, you want the crystals to run down only from the top rim of a piece, simply apply the normal number of coats of glaze and add just enough crystals around the top rim to obtain the desired effect.
Using slips/oxide washes with glazes
Thin slips and oxide washes can be used to decorate a piece by applying them directly to the bisque or on top of a glaze. Clear, celedon, and some light opaque glazes can be used over the colorants. Be careful not to get oxides and slips on too thick--the application should be more like water colors than house paint. The colorants are mostly quite strong, and if they are
thick the overlying glaze is likely to crawl. Decorations can be brushed, stamped with foam stamps or sponges, spattered, sponged into textures, silk screened...
Opalescent glaze description
An opalescent glaze has a milky, translucent, sometimes bluish sheen.
Liquid Glazes: commercial
Commercial Liquid Glazes: You can purchase commercial glazes and underglazes in liquid form, which are usually formulated for brushing. All you need to apply the glaze is a brush. Some glazes are difficult to brush on smoothly, you will see brush marks. Others will melt enough to erase the brush marks.
Maturity
All glazes need to be fired to maturity to achieve the desired results. The temperature for maturation varies with the glaze formulation.
Greyed red or orange family glazes
You can get greyed red or orange family glazes by firing your pieces too hot. Temperature should be at a 06-07 for earthenware.
Thinning glaze
Glaze that has thickened can be thinned to the proper consistency with the addition of water.
Dipping method
If you have a lot of pieces that you want to glaze, you can try the dipping method. There a re special glazes designed for this which are concentrated to cover in one coat.
Second firing
By firing a piece a second time, you can create different effects with your antique, art and some specialty glazes.
Clear Gloss 4
Clear Gloss: Cone 6 Oxidation
Volcanic Ash 63.7
Ferro Frit 3134 27.3
Koalin 9.0
Bentonite 1.0
glazes coming out with a grainy surface,
If you have a problem with glazes coming out with a grainy surface, you may be applying them too thin. The best way to correct this problem is to warm piece slightly and apply another coat, then re-fire to proper cone.
Embossing glaze
Any glaze may be used over embossing glaze as long as the embossing glaze has been fired first.
Embossing glazes are opaque and, if used in too wide and area, can crack in the firing.
Embossing glazes do not flow in the firing process.
Ceramics Frequently Asked Questions
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What tools do I need to start potting?
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What safety aspect should I keep in mind when working with glazes?
What should I remember when firing the kiln?
How do I best publicise my business?
How do I make a simple plaster mold?
How do I fire overglazes/lustres?
How do I create fine feature lines?
How and when sholuld I apply underglazes?
Are they Water or oil base stains?
Are any two kilns are exactly alike?
Can I use sand to stop glaze running onto shelves
Does greenware need to be dry before loading?
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How do I refire a glazed piece ?
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How do I care for my elements?
Does over firing produce poor colour in coloured glaze?s
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automatic kiln sitter, should I trust it?
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What are the Approx. firing times?
Ho do I avoid pitting and pinholes?
How do I decorate my ceramics?
How do I Bisque fire in an electric kiln?
How do I decorate my ceramics?
How do I apply crackle glazes ?
What effects can I achieve with a brush?
How do I Drain small pour holes?
How do I care for my new Kiln?
can I draw directly onto a piece?
How do I fire different bodies?
What is the humming in my new kiln?
What should I remember when firing a new kiln?
how do I get the best results in glazing?
How do I prevent dirt on my greenware?
How do I accomodate Clay Storage in my studio?
How do I prevent sagging during firing?
How do I load my brush for applying underglaze?
Why should I use pottery plaster?
How do I prevent glazes from settling ?
How do I create a woodtone effect?
What are some Doing well Quotes?
How do I care for my elements?
How do I store my throwing tools?
What is the history of Ceramics?
Why do I get black spots in my glaze?
How do I load my kiln for a glaze firing?
| Guru Spotlight |
| Patricia Walters-Fischer |
