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velvet under glazes question

updated tue 28 oct 03

 

Pam on tue 21 oct 03


Hi, quick question here. I just got a deal on some Gare velvet underglazes.
I plan on making some test tiles to see how they do at my local clay guild's
kilns, which fire hotter (cone 10)than what is recomended for the
underglazes. I know it is likely the colors will not turn out as they would
in a low fire kiln, but since I got a deal, I do not mind the unexpected :-)
My question is, do I need to wax like I would with a glaze? Or do these work
like mason stain or oxides? I want to use this on beads and little things.
Can I just put my little pieces into a pot all together and not worry about
them fusing together ?
Thanks!
Pam

Snail Scott on thu 23 oct 03


At 05:02 PM 10/21/03 -0500, you wrote:
> Hi, quick question here. I just got a deal on some Gare velvet underglazes.
>I plan...fire hotter (cone 10)than what is recomended for the
>underglazes...do I need to wax like I would with a glaze? Or do these work
>like mason stain or oxides?


It depends! Some underglazes will become vitreous
glazes at higher temperatures, and need to be
dry-footed as with any other glaze. Others will
remain only semi-vitreous and will not stick.
(Remember, it's all a matter of flux. Overfired
engobe, or glaze? Just a matter of definitions!)

At ^10, though, I'd anticipate having to dry-foot
the pieces or else grind some off kilnwash marks.

Why are you firing to ^10, though? Perhaps firing
to a temperature better suited to your surface
wodl be better, even if it leaves your clay body
a little underdone. For this purpose, it might
give you something closer to your intended result.

-Snail

Pam on fri 24 oct 03


Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 07:30:40 -0700
From: Snail Scott
Subject: Re: velvet under glazes question

**SNIP***

Why are you firing to ^10, though? Perhaps firing
to a temperature better suited to your surface
wodl be better, even if it leaves your clay body
a little underdone. For this purpose, it might
give you something closer to your intended result.

-Snail

Well, I have no choice in the firing temp, as I am using a local guild's
kiln,
and they have a lovely huge gas kiln that they do cone 10 reduction firing
in, and
I have to live with it until I have my own. Not really a problem, I am just
playing
with these underglazes, as I said I got them for cheap. Sounds like they are
not
going to be any great shakes for me. No biggie. Thanks for the info!
pam

Deeclay@AOL.COM on fri 24 oct 03


Hi Pam
I have been using under glazes to ^10 reduction for some time and you just
have to experiment with the colors. Some hold pretty true and naturally others
burn right out. Clear glaze on top intensifies the colors but you still won't
get the bright colors that you get at ^06 for sure.
I go to a community college for studio space and several people there use
them too with pretty good results. All have been on sculptural or vessels that
are not going to be used with food.
Good luck.
Diane in Sunny Miami (Go Marlins)

Snail Scott on mon 27 oct 03


At 03:17 PM 10/24/03 -0500, you wrote:
>>Why are you firing to ^10, though?
>
> Well, I have no choice in the firing temp, as I am using a local guild's
>kiln...


I understand. Don't give up on the underglazes, though.
Test them and see what they do. Even if they don't
serve the purpose for this project, you'll have a base
of information to use in the future. They'll be good
for something!

-Snail