What is Glazing? After the pot is completely dry it is ready to be bisque fired. This initial firing removes the physical and chemical water so that the piece can be glazed without returning to mud and breaking. The temperature we bisque at is approximately 1700 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pottery glazes are complex mixtures that fuse to pottery when placed in a kiln at high temperatures.
Glazes are responsible both for decorating the pottery and for creating an attractive glossy surface that protects the pottery from wear and water. Matte Glaze: A dull glaze surface, not very reflective when fired. Gloss Glaze: Shiny reflective gloss
Important Infotmation:
Underglazes: come in a variety of colors and are intended for decorating or painting an object. You may use as many colors of underglazes as you like to decorate your pot. However, realize that glazes undergo a chemical process inside the kiln that can alter their color dramatically. Look at the colors on the manufacturer's glazing chart to see examples of the glazes' final color. Do not assume a fired glaze will look the same as it appears before firing.
Using Brushes: Decorate the object however you wish using brushes dipped in the underglazes. This is an open-ended process, and you may choose to get creative and drip, flick, or even spray the glaze on if you want a different effect than detailed brushwork. It is also completely acceptable to cover the entire surface with a single underglaze if you want a simple, solid color.
Keep in mind the final color of each glaze when you choose your design.
Intentional drips are often used to great effect by ceramic artists, but be aware that thick drips may alter the texture of the pottery and could cause improper firing.
Let each layer of glaze dry before applying the next: Before you attempt to apply a different color of underglaze, or the final overglaze finish, you must wait for your ceramic object to dry. This will happen faster if you keep it in an area with good air flow. Do not apply a new type of glaze until the old glaze no longer appears shiny and wet, and does not smudge when your brush touches it.
ANB Glazes: Steps:
Check the pot and Sand any bumps or imperfections
Sponge or wet the entire surface of the pot to remove any dust.
Choose glazes you wish to use (carry by the middle of the bottle)
Add 2-3 coats of glaze (let dry in between each coat)
You must wipe any glaze off the bottom so it does not stick to the kiln shelves. If there is glaze left on the bottom your piece will not be fired.
Clean brushes completely Store them bristle side up Put back all glazes in the proper places
Complimentary Colors: Colors directly opposite each other in the color spectrum, such as red and green or blue and orange, that when combined in the right proportions, produce white light.
Color: An element of art made up of three properties: hue, value, and intensity. Hue: name of color Intensity: quality of brightness and purity (high intensity= color is strong and bright; low intensity= color is faint and dull)
Value: The lightness or darkness of tones or colors. White is the lightest value; black is the darkest. The value halfway between these extremes is called middle gray
Contrast: the state of being strikingly different from something else, typically something in juxtaposition or close association.
- Two colors from different segments of the color wheel are contrasting colors. For example, red is from the warm half of the color wheel and blue is from the cool half. They are contrasting colors.