Glass ceramics (glaze) is a complex mixture that will be incorporated into your pottery when fired in a high-temperature kiln. Ceramic glass or glaze is not only useful for making decorations on pottery, it is also useful for producing a more polished and smooth surface that will protect the pottery from wear and tear as well as water. It's a long process to get the glazes together on this pottery, but that doesn't mean it's difficult to learn, and the results will only grow if you keep practicing. If you don't have a burner, try to get one before you start, as the combustion process will explain below.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Choosing Pottery and Glaze
Step 1. Start buying plain pottery first
A pottery shop or an artist who specializes in this may be able to help you guide you through the items they sell. Usually the pottery is still in its "plain" form before being coated with glaze. Unlike most pottery that has been burnt, bare ceramic has porous holes that can absorb glaze into it. This makes it possible to create a wet glaze surface, which is able to protect the pottery from water before moving on to the next step.
- Depending on the type of clay you use, plain pottery is usually white or red.
- If you have an object made of clay that you have made yourself, burn it in the oven to make it firmer, but not too hard, before you coat it with the glaze. The appropriate temperature for this burning process will depend on the size of the pottery and the type of clay you are using. So, it's better if you ask someone who is an expert in this field first. You may also be able to use the burner that the person owns, but you may have to pay for it.
Step 2. Use disposable gloves when you are working with pottery
The "plain" pottery that you will be glazing on should be kept as clean as possible. Even the oil from your hands can prevent the glaze from sticking properly to the pottery, so wear disposable rubber gloves every time you touch the item you are coating the glaze with. Change your gloves if they are visibly soiled before you touch the pottery.
Step 3. Purchase a mixed glaze if possible
You may be able to mix jam-like glaze with water, but you'll need a respirator mask to prevent inhaling the glass dust particles. However, these mixed glazes also usually have baking problems, especially if you've never coated pottery before.
Step 4. Consider selecting a glaze based on the pre-baked temperature
Each different glaze requires a different firing process in order to adhere well to the pottery. Do not use two types of glazes that require different temperatures for firing on one pottery object, or you may destroy your pottery.
The combustion temperature is usually classified easily as "high" or "low", or there are also terms cone 2, cone 4, and others. The size of this cone refers to the type of clay used, which requires different temperatures in the furnace
Step 5. Be careful of the raw material of the glaze
Ask first the raw material of the glaze before you buy it. Tin glaze is not a good recommendation if your item is later used as eating or drinking utensils. Glaze is a fairly toxic material, so it is not recommended if children are involved in this process or playing in the glaze storage area.
Tin type glaze with protective non-lead glaze may be a good choice and is also safe if used with the right firing temperature. However, lead can be eroded in long-term use, especially if the coated item is often used as a container for storing acidic foods such as tomatoes. Stop using it if you notice powder or see any chips on the surface of your item
Step 6. Purchase one or more uncoated pottery
Unglazed pottery usually has many color options that you can decorate to your liking. You can choose as many colors as you like to decorate your pottery. However, you should be aware that the burning process can change the color. Take a look at samples of the colors of the glaze that have been burnt to find out the right mix to get the color to your liking. Do not assume that the color before burning will remain the same after the combustion process.
Step 7. Purchase a second coating
Whether you want to re-coat your pottery with glaze, you'll still need to coat it just once. Recoating it will give you a shiny finish and will also protect your pottery. Choose a second layer that doesn't mask the color of the first layer, or if you're not going to use the first layer, use a second layer that has a lot of color.
Note: As explained above, you must use a glaze that burns at the same temperature if you are using several types of glaze on one object. If you burn the glaze at the wrong temperature, your pottery object will be damaged
Part 2 of 4: Preparing the Pottery and Glaze Objects
Step 1. Smooth any uneven or rough surface
If you find any part of the surface that feels rough or uneven on your pottery object, then you can use sandpaper to smooth it out. Make sure you wipe down your pottery using a damp sponge to remove any dust particles from the sanding.
If you're buying an item that's only coated with glaze, then you probably don't have to go through this sanding process
Step 2. Wipe the pottery with a damp sponge before you start or if it looks dirty
Before you start, or if you find your pottery looks dirty, or you added too much glaze, wipe it with a damp sponge. Use both halves of the sponge if necessary to thoroughly clean your pottery.
Remember, you should wear gloves when you handle your pottery to avoid adding dust and oil to its surface
Step 3. Use the wax on the base of the object and on the parts that pass each other
The wax coating will prevent the glaze from sticking to the bottom of your pottery, as it acts as the "glue" that holds your item to the burner. For the same reason, also use wax on the lid, or on areas where two parts cross each other during the burning process. Most potters use heated paraffin wax for this step, but you can also use a safer, odorless wax for this part that you can buy at a ceramics or art supply store. You can apply wax using a painting brush. Do not use the same brush to apply the glaze.
- You can also use crayons instead of wax, but the color of the crayons you use may stick to your pottery.
- If you're glazing pottery with children, you can skip this step, and you can apply glue to the pottery object that the child had previously coated with the glaze before the quick baking process to avoid dripping off the glaze.
Step 4. If you are going to make your own glaze mixture, follow the instructions provided and use safety equipment properly
Unmixed glaze is a great choice for your first project (at least) it reduces pollution and also reduces the hassle of mixing ingredients. If you plan to mix powdered glaze with water, carefully follow the directions on the package to make a good mixture. Always wear a respirator mask to avoid inhaling glaze particles, and make sure your work area is ventilated. Do not allow other people to approach your work area without wearing a respirator mask. Gloves and safety glasses are also recommended for use in this process.
If there are no instructions on how to mix the glaze, then you will probably need water, a stirring spoon with a long handle, and a hydrometer for the specific gravity of water, or "specific weight," of the glaze
Part 3 of 4: Using Glaze
Step 1. Stir the glaze thoroughly
Even if you bought an unmixed glaze, you should still stir it to keep it constant before you use it. Follow the directions on the package carefully and stir until there are no deposits on the bottom or no visible part of the water that has not been mixed at the top.
Step 2. Pour each glaze into each small container with a brush
Separate each color and use a separate brush to avoid mixing colors. Pour each colored glaze into a small container, rather than using it straight from the jar. This will allow the remaining glaze to be put to good use for future projects.
Step 3. Apply the glaze for the first layer using a brush
Decorate your items using brushes. You can use your imagination for this, you can create a droplet, you can use it by flicking it, or you can directly spray it on your pottery to produce different effects so that your work will be exactly what you want. You can also cover an entire piece of your pottery using this first layer glaze if you want simplicity and a solid color.
- Always keep in mind the final color of each glaze when you create your designs.
- Deliberately creating a drop is often used to create effects by ceramic artists, but keep in mind that if you create a drop that is thick enough it will change the texture of the pottery and can also cause uneven burning.
Step 4. Scrape off the unwanted glaze using a metal object
If you've applied the wrong glaze, or the glaze is dripping where you don't want it, scrape it off with a knife or other metal object. After that, wipe with a wet sponge.
Clean used knives or metal objects with warm water and soap before using them for other purposes involving food
Step 5. Apply the glaze to the hollow by making the opening not too wide
If you intend to glaze pots, mugs, or other objects that have an inner surface that might be difficult to reach with a brush, then you can pour the glaze into it and smooth it out by hand.
Step 6. Allow each layer of glaze to dry before applying the next coat
Before you add any other color to your pottery, you need to let it dry first so that the initial coat dries well. This will be faster if you place the pottery that has been coated with the first layer of glaze in a well-ventilated room. Do not apply another color glaze until the base glaze dries as this will damage the base glaze.
Step 7. Finish by re-coating with the front layer glaze
If you have a tweezer wand, it's easier to do this by dipping the pottery in the glaze and letting it sit for 1-3 seconds. If you want a thicker, shinier surface, don't soak your pottery too long, let it dry before dipping again. You may be able to dip it a few times, but make sure you don't let it soak for more than 3 seconds.
You can also brush off this finishing glaze. Do this so that the surface layer is well covered by a thin layer. It's better to let the pottery dry well before coating it with a light glaze, than to layer the glaze once but thickly
Step 8. Clean the glaze stuck to the burner
In addition to cleaning the uneven glaze on your pottery, you should also clean the remaining glaze that is stuck to the surface of the furnace you are using. If you have read the steps above, then you can use wax as a coating to prevent the glaze from sticking to the burner. Use a clean, damp sponge for this step.
- Clean the glaze immediately after the furnace is used.
- If you see the glaze dripping off quickly, then you can make the bottom 1/4i inch (6 mm) or more unglazed. Many professional artists do this.
Part 4 of 4: Burning Glaze
Step 1. Find a burner that can be used together
You can actually buy a burner yourself, but it can be quite expensive. If you live in an urban area, you can find a studio that makes pottery items that you can rent a stove to use. Look online for a location with kilns in your area, or you can go to a location where there are many tile or brick craftsmen.
If you live in the United States, this list may come in handy, although many more are still not listed
Step 2. Find an experienced assistant if you intend to purchase and operate the burner yourself
If you intend to buy a burner, then you can buy an electric burner. There are a number of factors to consider if you want to do this, including costs, cables, and other additional tools. Burning stove operation is quite a complicated and dangerous process, so you can find someone with experience to help or guide you to operate it.
Step 3. Bake the glaze according to the instructions
A good glaze that is fired at low or high temperatures but is burned the wrong way will cause damage to the pottery which will cause the glaze to fail to adhere properly. Make sure the stove you are using is used correctly according to the instructions provided.
If you are going to have someone burn your pottery, make sure you include a note that includes the temperature to be used. Do not keep this note on your pottery that is still covered in glaze
Step 4. Remove your pottery after a few hours
There are several ways to operate a burner, and some of them may take longer. Regardless, you should burn the pottery a few hours before you lift it. If the kiln you are using is used by a large number of people, then perhaps your pottery will not be ready for a day or two. After the combustion is completely cold, then you can take your craft items home.
Note that if you use a candle, it must burn during the burning process. If there is still wax in the glaze, use a different type of wax next time
Suggestion
- Clean the ingredients you have as often as possible to avoid mixing the ingredients. Keep the brush for wax and brush for glaze unless you've cleaned them well beforehand.
- There are hundreds of types of pottery and glazes. An experienced person or user manual can teach you other methods for the process of applying this glaze and it's also possible to give it a unique effect using the glaze.
