Basic Glazing Techniques Ceramics

Now what exactly is a glaze.

Basic glazing techniques ceramics. There are two main ways you can glaze. Dipping pottery into a fluid glaze about the consistency of heavy cream is one of the fastest ways to glaze large quantities of pottery. When glaze is fired onto a piece it is like covering the piece with glass. Brush glazing is a glazing technique that uses a brush to place a finishing level of glaze on ceramics.

Clean bisque ware before glazing it s best to use a wet sponge to get any dust or debris off your pottery before you glaze especially after sanding. Because glaze needs to adhere to an often vertical surface while not running off the piece its component parts are ground into powder and mixed with water and binders so that it can be applied to ceramic pieces. What are the basics of glazing. This method requires exceptional attention to detail and practice to perfect.

It also is a good method to ensure an even glaze coat. Dipping is the easiest way to ensure an even application and pouring with a little practice is the next. Dipping your glazes or brushing them on. Glazes by their nature are vitreous.

All glazes and clays have different properties. It s best not to submerge your pottery in water or rinse it off under running water. Ceramic glazing is nothing more than the act of fusing glazes with a ceramic body through fire to achieve certain decorative purposes. Typical application methods include brushing dipping pouring trailing and spraying.

A damp sponge works great and your pottery dries fast. It allows potters to create unique designs with multiple layers exceptional versatility and a lot of room for creativity. Many clay bodies are not vitreous without being glazed. Airbrushing spraying is the second quickest way to glaze a piece but there are safety precautions that must be taken when spraying.

Glazing can make or break a pot so it s great to spend a bit of time planning the exact look feel and color of what you want to achieve. The basics of glaze. 12 pottery glazing tips for complex forms consisting of thrown and textured elements i use a combination of pouring dipping and brushing to get the color where i want it. The combinations are endless all you have to do is test different compositions.

A glaze is like a glass coating and it can be glossy matte translucent opaque smooth and textured. So bear this in mind before you start. You must wear a respirator to ensure that you are not inhaling glaze particles and you also must use a dedicated spray booth with a ventilation system to vent away the glaze particles.