a bit of process

I am struggling with glaze application these days. I am wanting to do some fine drawing and painting on my pots. I can't seem to get the glaze lines thin enough to please me. They are dipped in clear after the drawing is done on the bisque. This can cause a bit of feathering and running, which can look good. It all depends on the drawing. The fine details get lost when this happens. I am going to try an underglaze next and after that perhaps some china paints.


Here is all of the bisque with the initial glaze work (simple as you can see).


They are next dipped in clear glossy and then when dry the tops are dipped in a matte copper blue (which will be shiny because it is over the glossy clear). I am hoping that the black line drawings show through the matte copper blue. This is an experiment, I haven't tried it before. And no, I don't make test pieces. I am impatient and I just consign the whole lot to my experimentation. Sometimes this works out well, sometimes not so much.


This is one of my favorite studio books. It is filled with really old botanical drawings. Inspiration for my next project. Think clear glossy white porcelain, some bright colours and some decals.


The fired and finished product. This morning they were unloaded from the kiln, inspected, their bottoms were sanded and they were all wrapped in paper and bubble wrap in preparation. They are being picked up tomorrow night. I will not miss them.