Master the Art of Glazing: Tops 5 Tips to remember

Now that you have mastered the art of pottery making, you will want to master the art of glazing. Glazing can be one of the most relaxing steps in the pottery process and remembering these 5 tips will ensure your pot is perfectly glazed.

In this article we will go over what to do and what to avoid in order to get that perfectly glazed pot.

1. Clean your bisqueware

Once your pot is completely dry it is now time to glaze. Glaze adheres best to clean dry pottery.

To ensure your glaze adheres to your pottery, keep any lotions or oils off your pottery. Even the natural oils from your hands can prevent glaze from soaking into your piece causing bare spots. For best results, before handling your bisque ware, wash your hands or wear rubber or disposable gloves throughout the glazing process to keep any oils off your pottery.

Inspect your pottery for any rough spots or imperfections. Use fine sandpaper to smooth out any irregularities gently. This step ensures a more even application of the glaze.

Sometimes clay dust or debris settles on the pot while it is drying on the shelf and this can mix with the glaze causing imperfections. Take a damp sponge or cloth and wipe all surfaces of the pot from the inside to the outside and the handles too.

2. Tape off your bases

Once you start glazing you must ensure that glaze is not applied to the bottom as the pot will get stuck to the kiln shelves. One way to do this is to tape off the bottoms using masking tape alternatively you can use wax resist to mask off the bottom or any areas that you want to remain unglazed.

Another option is to use cookies or bisque ware coasters for your pots to avoid the dripping glaze from running onto the kiln shelves.

3. Choosing The Right Brush

When brushing on glaze make sure you have a nice soft brush that can hold a good amount of glaze. Hake brushes hold the extra glaze that is needed to cover pottery more evenly, making the coverage easier and more even than other brushes.

Fan brushes also have the ability to cover large areas smoothly and evenly. They are not too stiff or soft and hold the glaze on the brush evenly.

4. Apply In Thin Layers

Glazing requires two coats to be applied and it is important that you apply your glaze in thin layers. Let the glaze dry thoroughly in between coats. Don’t take a chance and hurry the process. Your glaze should be dry to the touch before applying another coat.

When brushing on your glaze, it’s best if you change the direction of your brush strokes with each coat. For instance, your first coat can be horizontal and your second coat can be diagonal or vertical. It doesn’t matter which direction you start with. This technique evens out the thickness of the glaze and helps to get rid of streak marks on your pottery.

One of the biggest problems with brushing on glazes is streaking. The main reason this happens is that the coats are applied too thin, and your brush doesn’t have enough glaze on it. Your brush should be loaded so the glaze flows onto your pottery. The glaze should be the approximate thickness of a t-shirt.

5. Work With One Glaze At A Time

Try to work with one glaze at a time to avoid the glaze drying out in the open jar. it is easy to confuse the glazes if you have multiple jars open so working with one at a time avoids the mix up. And lastly keep your work area clean and organized to prevent accidental contamination of glazes.