Glazing in the Clay Studio

 

Glaze --leveling up your ceramics

Let's GLAZE! When you have created a clay artwork you will come in next class and it will either be in the kiln, still drying or bisqued.   look at the three stages of clay we see on the cart.

Glazing can really Power Up your work.  

The color can enhance the shape of your pottery.  You can add patterns, solid areas of color and design.

Betty Woodman was a ceramic artist.  She was known for inventive forms and how she applied her colorful glaze.  

Widewalls

Betty made FUNCTIONAL pottery and later on more decorative work.  

That means it had a function, purpose or could be used to perform a job. 

Functional meaning it could be use to drink from, hold objects, 

pour and eat off of.  Will your pottery be decorative or Functional?  

if you are going to put food or liquid in your clay artwork you will need to listen closely to instructions about GLAZE.

Glaze is the color we will use for clay.  Glazed pottery goes back in 

the Kiln for a second firing.  The glaze becomes molten hot and 

coats your work in a thin layer of glass.

The Cabinet of Glaze is to the left of the Clay Studio. You will only remove a blue tray of glaze from this cabinet and nothing else. Select a blue tray of glaze and bring it back to your table.  No placemat You will need a brush for each color you use.  New color new brush. Each jar gets  its own brush NO glaze the bottom of your work. if you get a little drop wipe off with a sponge. Two coats.  Same color, same place, twice.   These glazes are not meant to be mixed.  No mixing colors. TWIST Caps back in place.   Rinse Brushes until water runs clear. Return Glazes.   Put your glazed work on the cart.  Next class you will pick up your finished ceramics.

Ceramic work goes in the kiln a 2nd firing and the glaze becomes molten and melts onto your 

pottery and creates a shiny coating.