Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008
Underglaze: Color pigment or chemicals suspended in a liquid applied to ceramic clay or bisque and fired with a finishing glaze topcoat.
There are several kinds of underglazes on the market. Some have been formulated to go on greenware and others have been formulated to go on bisq. It is important that you read the labels of your paints to know which is which and which ones are suitable for your project. This will also allow you to determine the method to complete your project on the paints you have available.
Underglazes allow you the most flexibility to create fine detail and design-work and are fun to use once you know the functions and applications of the various products.
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2008
Long before glazes were discovered, the primitive potter learned to make their objects more appealing by polishing the clay before they baked it. This polishing produced a soft satin sheen. It was accomplished by vigorously rubbing the surface of the item before the clay was completely dry using a smooth stone or soft piece of leather. It was found that by painting the pots with assorted colored clays that had been liquefied, multicolor effects were possible. Polishing specific colors made them stand out more than the ones not polished. American Indian potters still use these same methods to finish much of their wares.
The hobby ceramist can take advantage of polishing the underglazes without having to search out the different clays and making their own. Ordinary greenware can be polished to a fairly high gloss and pieces painted with regular commercial underglaze colors will also accept the polish because many of them are made from a clay base. Items made with the clay polish are porous when they are baked (modern term is fired) and should be used for decorative purposes only. The interior of vases, jars, and other containers can be glazed to make them more functional and easier to clean after use.
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