Lately I've been playing with a basic white glaze from one of Susan Peterson's books:
cone 9 oxidation basic white
potash 44
whiting 18
kaolin 10
quartz 28
I like this glaze because the opacity is caused by tiny bubbles trapped in the glaze matrix instead of the usual undissolved particles. The delicate opacity caused by these bubbles is very similar to the subdued look of Song dynasty Longquan glazes. (I bet that this glaze would do interesting things in reduction.)
I have two questions:
1. I assume that the bubbles in the glaze are caused by the whiting. Just out of curiosity, why does the whiting cause bubbles to be trapped in the glaze?
2. The only problem with this glaze is that it is far too white. Right now the color is pure bright white. I want to soften the color to a gentle off-white - beige, ivory, or oatmeal color. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to soften a bright white glaze? Should I just throw in a little bit of iron, or is there a better way?
Bret in Taipei
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