#under-glaze

[k00288209]

Ceramics - Week 2

Tue/7th/Feb

We were shown how to create shapes with this clay compression machine which results into hollow shapes.

These shapes could be used for example to create cups and mugs or pencil holders, which I am planning on using my my piece of clay as a pencil holder.

The Process :

Using molds and compression the clay is shaped into long tubes of the desired shape. The shape would be cut into pieces by wire and then worked afterwards.

Results :

The worked piece of shaped clay.

I proceeded to clean up the sides and edges of the piece let it be fired as it is.

After the firing i under-glazed the piece with patters of blue plants and over-glazed it with transparent glaze.

Glaze Results :

The blue plants are tilting and swaying as if by the wind. Even the clay piece itself is slightly tilted which gives it a fun illusion of movement.

[k00288209]

Glazing

Tue/7th/Feb - Ceramics Week 2

The second week of ceramics (a.k.a the glazing week).

I had only two pieces done and fired and ready to be glazed.

First I started with the clay study of mark making. I was looking to do a slightly more complex coloring for this piece as I wished to further enhance the layers and the texture. For this I was shown how to under glaze.

Under glazing is when the ceramic piece is painted and decorated with colored paints before it is glazed.

Working with shades of blue. I chose blue for that one pop of colour in my ceramics work as I connect the color blue with comfort and calmness. By using different shades I can play with the depth of the piece and more drastically bring out the different layers.

Black Glaze :

Demonstration of dipping ceramics in clay and the details and results of the black glaze.

However, for the under-glazed piece I chose to use transparent glaze to keep the under-glaze visible.

Glaze Results :

With the transparent glaze the piece is brought to life. The colours are beautiful and especially the darker blue pops out much more. Even the textures of the fabric are more visible after the glaze.