Glazing

What is Glaze?

Glaze is a liquid that comes in nearly any color and it’s used to waterproof, decorate and give pottery a smooth, glass-like surface once it has been fired once. After glaze has been applied, it becomes dry and dusty within seconds.

Glazing is after the first firing (Bisque Fire) and is the final stage of clay. Glazeware is when it is glaze fired and all done/ready to take home.

Why Glaze and Not Paint?

Glazes are used instead of paint on ceramics primarily because they create a permanent, durable, and waterproof finish through a high-temperature firing process. Paint, on the other hand, typically sits on the surface and can wear off easily. Glazing also renders earthenware impermeable to liquids and minimizes the adherence of pollutants.

What Makes Glazes Unique?

Unpredictable

Glazes can do some weird stuff in the kiln that we have no control over. They can bubble, run down the sides, change color, or not even stick to the pottery! We are at the mercy of the kiln, the clay, and the glaze composition.

Look at the image below to see how adding just .1% Colabt Oxide in a glaze can change the coloring. It can go from clear to blue just like that!

Colorant example: A line blend adding the colorant Cobalt Oxide in 0.1% increments to a glaze.

Vitrified

Glaze is how ceramic artists create a durable, water resistant surface and make it a lot stronger. This process is called vitrification. When clay is fired with glaze on it, it becomes glazeware and all our glazes are safe to eat and drink out of. They also are safe to use in the dishwasher, microwave and oven/stove.

Different Ways to Glaze

Dipping

Dipping is where you dip your project into a bucket of liquid glaze using either tongs or your hands.

This technique is for an even application of glaze and not for percision colorings.

Painting

Painting on glaze is exactly what it sounds like. Taking a cup of liquid glaze and appling it using a paint brush.

You should use this technique if you want an uneven surface and are trying to make percision colorings.

Spraying

Spraying is using an airbrush or sprayer to apply a liquid glaze onto the surface of bisque-fired ceramic ware.

This technique can create a smooth, even coating and allows for precise application, including layering and blending glazes.

How to Glaze

Bisque your projects

Clay needs to be fired before it’s glazed. This process is known as bisque firing and it refers to the very first time the pieces go into the kiln.

2. Prepare your projects #1

After your projects are bisque fired (bisqueware) then you can prepare to glaze them. The process is different for dipping or painting so PAY ATTENTION:

Dipping -

Projects must have a foot and the foot must be waxed. Paint wax on the spots and let it dry. While drying, put the wax away and clean the brush.
Glaze in the buckets must be stirred. Use the drill to stir the glaze until it is a creamy consistancy. Then clean the drill in the water bucket and put it in the dry bucket.
Take either tongs or your hands and lower the project into the glaze. Let it sit there for a few seconds.
Remove from the glaze and let the runny glaze run off. Shake to remove extra. Glaze should dry within a couple seconds.
Wipe the bottom of the project! and put it on the glaze firing shelf. Clean bottoms to make sure your project won't stick to a shelf.

2. Prepare your projects #2

After your projects are bisque fired (bisqueware) then you can prepare to glaze them. The process is different for dipping or painting so PAY ATTENTION:

Painting -

Get the supplies you need (paint brush, water cup, and paper towels).
Glaze in the buckets must be stirred. Use the drill to stir the glaze until it is a creamy consistancy. Then clean the drill in the water bucket and put it in the dry bucket.
Take a plastic cup and scoop out some glaze. Put the lid back on the glaze.
Use the brush to apply the glaze where you need to on your project. Clean your brush in between colors. Glaze dries fast so take your time and add lots of layers.
Make sure the bottom of your project is clean put it on the glaze firing shelf.
Clean all the supplies you used and put them back in the proper spot.

3. Glaze fire your projects

Once your projects are on the shelf, it will go into the kiln and get fired. After it is fired your project might not look like it did when it went in so be prepared.

*Also always take note of what glazes you used so that you can either repeat or prevent what you did.

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