Tools and glazing
Prepare for pictures...
Today I decided to take a bunch of pictures. I was trying something new, and working on getting some stuff done, so I decided to document things! The results: you get to learn more than you might want to about ceramics! =)
I also documented a very specific project I decided to do that I have alluded to here. I will do a separate entree about that though.
In any case, I thought that I would begin with all of my tools. I haven't talked about them yet, so I thought I would show them to you! I believe it might be kinda boring to go into detail about what each one is/does specifically, so if you are curious, comment and I'll explain.
I have spent 6 hours in the glaze room this week. That's more than I have ever spent on so few pieces. In fact, in total, I have 3 pieces glazed and one with color slip put on it that will be bisqued next week and then will need it's won glaze and glaze firing! Sounds like I didn't get a lot done for 6 hours of work... However, I have been trying to experiment.
I thought I would share some pictures of what the glaze room is like, and how things work. First, I wanted to show where everything is. The containers below the counter are the glazes and the containers on the shelves (NOT PICTURED) are almost all colored slips with a few more glazes and some other things as well (like the wax resist that I referenced in another entree). The bisqued rectangles you see are the separators for inside the kilns. Because they are bisqued but have no glaze, they can be used again and again. I believe they are also a type of clay that fires at a higher temperature as well, but I could be wrong on that... I thought they looked kind of neat, and they are a good example of what a bisqued piece looks like, so I thought I would include a picture. Anyway, here's the pictures. =)
When you begin to glaze, first, you have to pick colors and/or design. This can be as simple as deciding you will dip in one color, or as complicated as using multiple colored slips and possible carving before the bisque fire, and then multiple colors after as glaze. The three in the entree are all multiple glazes. I don't remember all of the names of the glazes I used, so I will mostly reference their colors. However, this is what you look at to make those decisions; the samples! Each is labeled on the bottom so you know which is what. (the containers are also labeled with the correlating name/number) Nothing is a guarantee with glaze, but... This helps!
Once you decide color and design, you can apply in many different ways. Dipping only works in the larger containers, but you can also pour, paint, flick, etc. for different effects and such. I am just starting to play with all of this, but it can be lots of fun. The part that can be hard is... Glaze basically melts and adheres. However, when it does, the chemicals of each glaze react to each other in strange and mystical ways. You never really know what you'll get until you have played with the glazes and know how they behaive a bit better.
Here's the results of the three glazed pieces before firing:
Let's go a bit more into detail, just so that when they come out of the glaze firing, you will be able to see what I see when I am glazing and the results. First, we'll go with the most boring of the three. I have named him "Super Sonic's" bowl. If I remember correctly, and I didn't get anything mixed up, the colors will be matt green, a weird yellow color and white. When looking at the tiles, I liked them together. We shall see what happens. You will notice though, that the color of the GLAZE very rarely means anything about how it will look after the firing! Kinda fun! =)
Second was a bowl I have decided to call "Willow Tree". (I name them because it helps me remember what I did with them, or what my concept was. It doesn't always look that way after, so sometimes I change the names. But, it's just for fun anyway.) I have no idea if my idea will work, but if it does... It will look like a willow tree. The bottom is Waterfall Brown, the top is Glossy Green (or maybe matt green?) and the rim was dipped about 7 times to make it runny and fun and willowy. Hopefully.
Last, I worked for a LONG time on an idea I had involving texture. The white/yellow parts are actually just the raw clay. This isn't usual, but partially because if the roughness that is left after the firing. Then, the red/brown color is actually that yellow color again, and the green... I actually don't really remember what that is. I believe I either tried to make it white or green matt of some kind. It's hard to remember unless you write things down, and... I don't. I probably should start though. Oh, and the inside is white. Also, this is the piece that was actually a botched bowl that was put on top of a bowl created just for the purpose of being the new bottom! Anyway, here's this fun little gem that I call "Belted bowl"
Well, that's enough for one entree. Hope you enjoyed some pictures!
Today I decided to take a bunch of pictures. I was trying something new, and working on getting some stuff done, so I decided to document things! The results: you get to learn more than you might want to about ceramics! =)
I also documented a very specific project I decided to do that I have alluded to here. I will do a separate entree about that though.
In any case, I thought that I would begin with all of my tools. I haven't talked about them yet, so I thought I would show them to you! I believe it might be kinda boring to go into detail about what each one is/does specifically, so if you are curious, comment and I'll explain.
I have spent 6 hours in the glaze room this week. That's more than I have ever spent on so few pieces. In fact, in total, I have 3 pieces glazed and one with color slip put on it that will be bisqued next week and then will need it's won glaze and glaze firing! Sounds like I didn't get a lot done for 6 hours of work... However, I have been trying to experiment.
I thought I would share some pictures of what the glaze room is like, and how things work. First, I wanted to show where everything is. The containers below the counter are the glazes and the containers on the shelves (NOT PICTURED) are almost all colored slips with a few more glazes and some other things as well (like the wax resist that I referenced in another entree). The bisqued rectangles you see are the separators for inside the kilns. Because they are bisqued but have no glaze, they can be used again and again. I believe they are also a type of clay that fires at a higher temperature as well, but I could be wrong on that... I thought they looked kind of neat, and they are a good example of what a bisqued piece looks like, so I thought I would include a picture. Anyway, here's the pictures. =)
When you begin to glaze, first, you have to pick colors and/or design. This can be as simple as deciding you will dip in one color, or as complicated as using multiple colored slips and possible carving before the bisque fire, and then multiple colors after as glaze. The three in the entree are all multiple glazes. I don't remember all of the names of the glazes I used, so I will mostly reference their colors. However, this is what you look at to make those decisions; the samples! Each is labeled on the bottom so you know which is what. (the containers are also labeled with the correlating name/number) Nothing is a guarantee with glaze, but... This helps!
Once you decide color and design, you can apply in many different ways. Dipping only works in the larger containers, but you can also pour, paint, flick, etc. for different effects and such. I am just starting to play with all of this, but it can be lots of fun. The part that can be hard is... Glaze basically melts and adheres. However, when it does, the chemicals of each glaze react to each other in strange and mystical ways. You never really know what you'll get until you have played with the glazes and know how they behaive a bit better.
Here's the results of the three glazed pieces before firing:
Let's go a bit more into detail, just so that when they come out of the glaze firing, you will be able to see what I see when I am glazing and the results. First, we'll go with the most boring of the three. I have named him "Super Sonic's" bowl. If I remember correctly, and I didn't get anything mixed up, the colors will be matt green, a weird yellow color and white. When looking at the tiles, I liked them together. We shall see what happens. You will notice though, that the color of the GLAZE very rarely means anything about how it will look after the firing! Kinda fun! =)
Second was a bowl I have decided to call "Willow Tree". (I name them because it helps me remember what I did with them, or what my concept was. It doesn't always look that way after, so sometimes I change the names. But, it's just for fun anyway.) I have no idea if my idea will work, but if it does... It will look like a willow tree. The bottom is Waterfall Brown, the top is Glossy Green (or maybe matt green?) and the rim was dipped about 7 times to make it runny and fun and willowy. Hopefully.
Last, I worked for a LONG time on an idea I had involving texture. The white/yellow parts are actually just the raw clay. This isn't usual, but partially because if the roughness that is left after the firing. Then, the red/brown color is actually that yellow color again, and the green... I actually don't really remember what that is. I believe I either tried to make it white or green matt of some kind. It's hard to remember unless you write things down, and... I don't. I probably should start though. Oh, and the inside is white. Also, this is the piece that was actually a botched bowl that was put on top of a bowl created just for the purpose of being the new bottom! Anyway, here's this fun little gem that I call "Belted bowl"
Well, that's enough for one entree. Hope you enjoyed some pictures!