Question:
How do I glaze my ware?
Take notes
Finally, remember to take notes while working with glazes. It's very disappointing to discover a wonderful glaze combination but not remember what it was. Two glazes when layered can make colors quite different from either of the two glazes alone, so if you didn't make a note, you may never know what you did!
Glaze Application:Dipping
Glaze Application
Dipping: A pot is immersed in the glaze for a few seconds. The pot can be dipped again for a further couple of seconds, know as “double dipping”. This double layer of glaze can produce different fired results and can create a range of decorative effects.
Glaze won't stick
If you find that your glazes do not seem to stick after firing, you may have overfired your bisque originally.
Remove dust
We can apply glaze to our work by dipping, pouring, spraying, or brushing. First, we have to prepare the bisque by lightly sponging it to remove any dust. Be careful not to get the piece wet--squeeze the sponge as dry as possible. Remember, dirty or saturated bisque can cause crawling.
Slips and stains
Don't forget the possibilities available with raw clay. Unglazed surfaces can be brushed with slip or stains, and colorants can be used to highlight stress cracks or textured surfaces. Clay coloring is responsive to variations in kiln atmosphere, so expect the unexpected. Unglazed clay can show the same kinds of blushes and flashes as our glazes often do, and coarse or textured surfaces are sometimes best just left alone.
Mixing the glaze
Before we can use the glaze, we have to mix it. The liquid glaze tends to settle. If there is a noticeable layer of water on the surface of the glaze, it's best to use the electric mixer. Be careful with the mixer around long hair and loose clothes, and always make sure it's clean before sticking into the glaze. If the glaze is just lightly settled, it can be stirred with a stick. Many glazes will settle quickly as we work with them, so keep the stick handy.
Glaze Application: Spraying
Glaze can be sprayed onto a pot. However, the glaze will probably need sieving through a 120 mesh sieve to allow it to pass through the nozzle of the glaze spray-gun. Spraying is a hazardous process and you must always use an extraction booth that conforms to OH&S regulations. The work being sprayed must always be within the booth and the spray-gun must be directed towards the booth from a distance that ensures that the spray mist is adequately extracted. Spray equipment must be maintained to a high standard.
Ceramics Frequently Asked Questions
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| Guru Spotlight |
| Jolyn Wells-Moran |
