Glazing

Glazes come in a great variety of colors and there are a variety of techniques which can be done to produce different results. Glazes require proper firing to the cone specified on the bottle and should only be put on bisqueware that has been fired to at least one cone hotter than necessary for the glaze firing. As glazes often change colors when fired, be sure to clearly label the containers of glaze for students with the color to which the glaze will mature. It is also a good idea to make, label, and display test tiles for students to better determine which glazes they would like to use.

Caution: Glaze contains many chemicals which are not safe for students to consume. Caution should also be taken to avoid getting glaze on one's skin. If glaze does get on students' hands or if students handle pieces that have been glazed but are yet to be fired, they should wash their hands after they are done glazing. Also, though they look like paint, glazes should NOT be used on any surface other than bisqueware.

Glazing Tips

Rinse Off Dusty Bisque: If bisqued projects have been sitting for a while out on a shelf, it is a good idea to rinse off the bisque and allow it to dry before glazing so as to remove any dust that may have settled as this can negatively affect the glaze results.

Short Illustrated Visual of "What is Glaze?"

Elementary Art Teacher (Name Withheld for Privacy)

Glaze and Surface Treatment Notes (Because You or Your Students May Forget the Glaze Combo Used)

Hood College, Frederick, MD

Brush-On Glazes

Recommended Brush-On Glaze

Sax True Flow Gloss Glazes, Assorted Gloss Colors, Set of 12 Pints

Great Value Classroom Set of Glazes

https://www.schoolspecialty.com/sax-gloss-glaze-assorted-gloss-colors-406469?kxconfid=u7avswvjn&source=google&campaignid=(ROI)_Shopping_-_Smart_-_Art_Supplies_-_Middle_Margin&placement=shopping&keyword=&gclid=CjwKCAjwj975BRBUEiwA4whRB0z0BJ0LHqwXVtBLPqrs726jnh5JO82dpng6-_EU2k-moUkwo6KajRoCPgEQAvD_BwE

Tips for Using Brush-On Glazes:

Be sure to add 3 coats of glaze.
Paint each layer of glaze in a different direction. For instance, the first layer can be applied in vertical brushstrokes, the second layer can be applied with horizontal brushstrokes, and the third layer can be applied with diagonal brushstrokes.
Glaze should NOT be applied to the bottom or else it will stick to the kiln shelf when fired.
If glaze is accidentally or mistakenly applied to the bottom of the piece, a wet washcloth or sponge can be used to wipe off the excess glaze (aka Dry-footing as pictured below).

Easy Glaze Distribution: Pre-pouring glaze into medium sized air-tight paint containers (or even specimen containers which can be purchased very affordably in bulk), makes for a quick and easy setup on glaze days. Glazes can also be stored within these containers for use in other classes weeks or even months later. The containers should be large enough to avoid having to pour additional glaze each class, but small enough that if a student forgets to use the brush designated for a specific color, not much glaze is cross-contaminated. Be sure to clearly label each container with the color that the fired glaze with actually look like as some glazes change colors during the firing.

Glazing Techniques

Scraffito (Traditional & Layered), Inlay, Transfer/Printing, Painting, & maiolica

Many of the Techniques used with Underglaze and Glaze are Interchangeable

Marbling Glaze or Underglaze with Shaving Cream

Experimenting with Glass

Melting Glass Pebbles (Produces water-like appearance, but not food safe.)

Steps Used:

1. Glaze the Pinch Pot (Very important to seal the clay body & prevent white clay powder from appearing later on top of glass)

2. Add 2-3 glass pebbles (just enough to cover the bottom.)

3. Fire to Cone 06

4. Paint Bird with Tempera Paint & Modge Podge

Glaze Process Example (Necklace Pendant)

Bisque Fired Piece (Cone 04)

2 coats of Mosaic Blue (Sax True Flow Gloss Glazes) glaze brushed onto carved areas. Flat surface then wiped clean with a damp cloth to produce a "Stained Effect."

3 coats of transparent glaze brushed on top & sides. Do NOT apply glaze to bottom (unless you are using stilts), otherwise piece will stick to kiln shelf.

Completed Pendant Post Glaze Firing (Cone 05)

Glazing on PRe-Made Tiles

Glaze was applied here to a transparent glossy glazed porcelain tile. Using pre-glazed porcelain tiles can save on the amount of glaze needed to cover a piece as all parts desired to remain white (or whatever base color glazed tile is used) do not need to be covered with more glaze for the entire tile to have a glossy finish. Using this kind of tile also allows students to focus on line work and encourages experimentation (ex. Q-tips for circles).

Glaze Firing: Before & After's

Before Firing. Interesting Note: Glaze was applied here to a transparent glossy glazed porcelain tile. White lines were created by removing low fire glaze from tile with a small brush.

After Firing.

Before Firing. Interesting Note: Glaze was applied here to a porcelain bisque fired tile (unglazed). Low fire glaze was then applied in layers. The first layer of glaze was yellow, second layer of glaze was blue, and third layer of glaze was black. Be sure to allow each layer of glaze to thoroughly dry before adding the next glaze layer. The non-bristle end of a paintbrush was then used with varying pressure to reveal the other glaze color layers underneath.