Glazing Possibilities- 28 Different Approaches to Glazing Pottery!

KaransPotsAndGlass
10 Dec 202028:07

TLDRIn this video, the instructor at Mason High School in Ohio presents 28 distinct glazing techniques for pottery. The demonstration is aimed at the instructor's Ceramics III students who are preparing to glaze their own pottery pieces. The video covers a range of methods, including dipping, brushing, wax resist, tape resist, and using various tools like the bulb syringe for detailed work. The instructor also discusses the importance of glaze selection, surface preparation, and cleaning techniques. The process is meticulously explained, from applying glaze to a pot's surface to the final clean-up. The video is designed to be a comprehensive guide for students to understand and experiment with different glazing approaches on their pottery projects.

Takeaways

  • 🎨 Preparing the pottery surface is crucial before glazing, involving filing off sharp edges and cleaning with an abrasive stone.
  • 🚿 Rinsing the pottery under running water is necessary to remove dust and fingerprints before it dries for a few hours.
  • 📏 Using a pencil line as a guide, waxing should be done about an eighth of an inch up from the base both inside and outside.
  • 🧀 Selecting the right glaze is important, with attention to shelf tags for compatibility and application instructions.
  • 🍽️ A plastic tray, whisk, measuring cup, and towel are essential tools for glazing, with care taken to avoid introducing clay dust into glazes.
  • 🛁 Glazing techniques include dipping, brushing, pouring, and wax resist, each with specific methods for application.
  • 🌈 Experimenting with different glaze colors and techniques, such as overlapping colors and wax resist, can lead to unique finishes.
  • 🔍 Pouring glazes requires careful handling to prevent running or dripping, especially with thick glazes.
  • 🎭 Using tape resist over bare clay or glazed pottery creates distinct patterns when the tape is removed after the glaze dries.
  • 🧵 The process of glazing involves multiple steps, including cleaning, waxing, selecting glazes, and applying them in layers.
  • ⏳ Patience is key as each glazing technique may require drying time between coats or steps, sometimes necessitating the use of a hair dryer for faster drying.

Q & A

  • What is the purpose of the video?

    -The video is designed to demonstrate 28 different glazing techniques for pottery. It is intended for the presenter's ceramics students who will be glazing their pieces soon and will watch it as part of their remote learning.

  • How does one prepare the surface of a pot for glazing?

    -The surface should be prepped by filing off any sharp areas and cleaning it with an abrasive steel stone. Then, the piece is rinsed under running water to remove dust and allowed to dry before waxing.

  • What is the significance of the shelf tags for glazes?

    -The shelf tags indicate the cart location, label information, and color coordination on the lid. They also provide important instructions, such as warnings about glaze application to avoid running or other issues.

  • How does one apply a solid color glaze using the dipping method?

    -Using tongs, the pot is firmly grasped on the inside and outside, dipped into the glaze, turned upside down, and shaken off vigorously. The pot is kept shaking upside down until it stops dripping.

  • What is the wax resist technique?

    -The wax resist technique involves applying wax to a glazed or unglazed pot in a design. When the pot is dipped into a glaze, the wax areas prevent the glaze from adhering, creating a design where the wax was applied.

  • How does one perform tape resist over bare clay?

    -The pot is covered with tape, ensuring the edges meet up. The pot is then dipped into the glaze, and after it dries, the tape is carefully removed to reveal the design.

  • What are the steps for dipping a pot in a low glaze bucket?

    -The bucket can be tilted to create an angle, allowing for a deeper corner to work with. The pot is dipped, and care is taken not to let the glaze drip as it is removed.

  • How does one blend layers of glaze to create an organic effect?

    -Different colors of glaze are applied in layers, and then a wet brush is used to blend the layers together, creating a smooth transition between the colors.

  • What is the process for using a bulb syringe for glazing?

    -The bulb syringe is filled with glaze, ensuring the tip is clean and free of water. The glaze is then squeezed through the tip onto the pot, almost like drawing with it. After use, the syringe is cleaned thoroughly.

  • How does one clean the bottom and grooves of a glazed pot?

    -A soft sponge is used to wipe the bottom and up an eighth of an inch on the sides. Any excess glaze in the grooves or lines is gently cleaned out, and the pot is dusted with a soft brush.

  • What is the final step before loading a glazed pot into the kiln?

    -A thin, tortilla-like patty is made and the pot is placed on it. A kiln ticket is filled out with all the necessary information about the glaze and pot, and the pot, patty, and ticket are placed into the drying cabinet.

Outlines

00:00

🏫 Introduction to Ceramic Glazing Techniques

The video begins with a warm welcome from the instructor at Mason High School, Ohio, introducing a comprehensive tutorial on ceramic glazing techniques, specifically designed for Ceramics 3 students. It covers 28 different glazing methods including dipping, pouring, brushing, and various decorative techniques like scraffito and mishima. The instructor emphasizes the educational purpose of the video, which is to prepare students for their upcoming glazing projects during remote learning days. The video also promises additional resources such as a Google Slide document and follow-up videos to showcase the finished works, encouraging viewers to engage with the content through comments and subscribe for more tutorials.

05:01

🎨 Fundamental Glazing Techniques Explained

This section delves into specific glazing methods starting with the basics of preparing and cleaning pottery before glazing. Techniques covered include using tongs for dipping pots entirely in glaze, handling techniques to cover most parts of a pot while leaving out areas touched by fingers, and recommendations for tools like plastic trays and whisks for preparing glazes. The instructor also discusses the importance of vigorously mixing the glaze to ensure consistency and mentions using various brushes for different effects, highlighting the importance of multiple layers and proper cleaning between applications.

10:01

🖌 Advanced Decorative Glazing Techniques

The video progresses into more advanced decorative techniques such as tape resist on bare clay, wax resist over previously glazed pots, and double dipping for creating blended color effects. The instructor explains the intricate process of managing textures with glazes, ensuring even application and preventing runs. There's a focus on the technical aspects like the angle of dipping in low glaze buckets, and using specific glazes that enhance or contrast with textures, demonstrating layered and blended glazing techniques on various pot surfaces.

15:02

🎒 Specialty Glazing and Finishing Techniques

This segment covers specialized glazing techniques using tools like bulb syringes for detailed application, and the use of underglazes for carved designs. The instructor details how to properly use and clean the bulb syringe, emphasizing the importance of cleanliness to prevent residue build-up. Additionally, the use of different glaze types over black underglaze to achieve specific visual effects is explained, along with techniques like slip trailing for highlighting designs. The section ends with a focus on the importance of clear and transparent glazes to reveal underglaze work.

20:02

🌟 Final Steps and Kiln Preparation

In the final segment, the instructor discusses the last steps in the glazing process, focusing on ensuring the cleanliness and readiness of pots for the kiln. Techniques for applying final layers of glaze, using hair dryers to speed up drying, and the precise application of glazes on textured surfaces are explained. The importance of thorough cleaning and the correct application to prevent the pot from sticking in the kiln is stressed. The video concludes with instructions on how to fill out kiln tickets to include all necessary information for proper firing, ensuring a successful glazing outcome.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Glazing

Glazing in pottery refers to the process of applying a liquid glass-like coating, often colored, to ceramic objects to achieve a shiny, often decorative surface. In the video, various glazing techniques are demonstrated, such as dipping, pouring, and brushing, to show the wide range of effects that can be achieved in ceramic art. This process not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of pottery but also makes it waterproof and food safe after being fired in a kiln.

💡Wheel-thrown pots

Wheel-thrown pots are ceramic pieces shaped on a potter's wheel, a device used to spin clay as it is shaped by the potter's hands. The video features 28 wheel-thrown pots as examples to demonstrate different glazing techniques, emphasizing the craftsmanship involved in creating uniform and symmetrical forms that are commonly used in pottery.

💡Brushing

Brushing is a method of applying glaze to pottery using a brush. It is highlighted in the video as a technique that allows for careful control of the glaze application, ideal for adding detailed designs or achieving an even coat. The instructor emphasizes the importance of using a clean, fluffy brush for even application and suggests applying multiple layers to achieve the desired depth and richness of color.

💡Wax resist

Wax resist is a pottery technique where wax is applied to a pot to prevent glaze from adhering to the wax-covered area, creating patterns or designs. In the video, this method is used to add intricate designs on glazed forms, showing how wax can be applied to both bare clay and already glazed surfaces for different artistic effects.

💡Dipping

Dipping is a common method for applying glaze to pottery, where the entire piece or a part of it is submerged in a container of glaze. The video illustrates various dipping techniques, such as full dips with tongs or dipping the rim, to achieve uniform coverage or create layered color effects on the pottery pieces.

💡Tongs

Tongs are a tool used in pottery to hold and manipulate pots while dipping them into glaze, especially when the pieces are too large or awkward to handle directly. The video shows how tongs are used to grip pots securely during the glazing process to avoid fingerprints and ensure an even coating of glaze.

💡Pouring

Pouring involves transferring glaze over the surface of pottery by pouring it directly from a container. It allows for quick coverage and is particularly useful for large or irregularly shaped pieces. The video demonstrates how pouring is used to glaze the inside and outside of pots, often resulting in a natural, flowing glaze pattern.

💡Underglaze

Underglaze is a colored decoration applied to pottery before it is glazed with a transparent or translucent glaze. The video explains how underglaze can be used for detailed designs, as it shows through the final glaze layer, providing a means to add colorful patterns and intricate artwork to ceramic pieces.

💡Kiln

A kiln is a furnace or oven for burning, baking, or drying, especially one for firing pottery, bricks, or the like. In ceramics, a kiln is used to harden the clay and set the glaze. The video mentions the process of firing the glazed pieces in a kiln, which is a crucial step in finishing pottery as it vitrifies the glaze and fuses it to the ceramic body.

💡Sgraffito

Sgraffito is a decorative pottery technique produced by applying layers of color to leather-hard clay and then scratching off parts of the layers to create contrasting images, patterns, and texture. The video touches on using sgraffito in conjunction with underglaze to enhance the visual appeal of ceramic pieces with detailed, textured designs.

Highlights

Introduction to the wide variety of glazing techniques demonstrated for educational purposes.

Explanation of remote learning adaptations and resource sharing for students.

Detailed preparation processes for pottery before glazing, including filing and cleaning.

Techniques for waxing pottery to prevent glaze adhesion on specific parts.

Guided selection process for choosing the right glaze, highlighting important indicators.

Use of various tools like whisks and tongs for glazing methods such as dipping and pouring.

Demonstrations of different dipping techniques and the specific handling required for each.

Step-by-step instructions for using brushes and other tools to apply glaze evenly.

Creative use of wax resist techniques to create intricate patterns on glazed pottery.

Techniques for using tape and other resist materials to create designs under the glaze.

Introduction of multiple glazing layers and the importance of drying times between applications.

Demonstrations of special effects like Shino and Celadon glazes on textured pottery.

Detailed instructions for using underglazes and mishima techniques for detailed design work.

Explanation of safety precautions and cleanup procedures essential for successful glazing.

Final preparations and instructions for students to prepare their work for kiln firing.