Working with Clay 5: Glazing (Glost-Firing)

 

It’s important to remember that the colors of the glazes before firing is not necessarily the color they will look like after firing.

 

You can put down temporary stickers (or cut tape to shape) and glaze over it, then pull the stickers off when it’s dry before firing, to get various shapes.

 

Crazing is when the glaze cools in such a manner that it weakens the structure of the vessel underneath, pulling it apart so that it’s very weak and wants to shatter when cooled. It might look sturdy but it’s not.

 

Underglazing

 

Ceramic Pencil

 

Crackle glaze

 

To get a crackle, use not too much, not too little.

 

Leopard Skin Glaze

 

Oxides

 

Resist Slip & Glaze for Raku

 

First you burnish the vessel and bisque fire it. Then you use the resist slip and a “clever glaze”. First you apply the resist slip a temporary barrier protecting the burnished surface. Then, you add a paper stencil. Whatever is exposed will be black.

 

Raw Glazing

 

When you glaze on leatherhard clay. It can’t be wiped off if you don’t like it.