Glazing is one of the most exciting moments in the ceramic process because it happens after you have fired your piece for the first time. When a piece of pottery comes out of the kiln, it is often a flat, lifeless, and somewhat fragile object that looks like it might crumble into dust if you breathed on it. It is time-consuming to glaze, but it is such an interesting process because a single type of glaze can yield so many different textures, patterns, and colors. It can change the surface of a piece from dull to glossy to rough and bumpy and everything in between. There is so much potential in the end result that it is sometimes scary to even begin!
What is Glaze?
Glaze is a special coating applied to ceramic surfaces before the final firing. It is a glass-like material that melts when it is exposed to heat and is designed to become a waterproof protective coating on the surface of clay objects. It comes in such a wide array of colors, textures, and sheen levels, depending on the materials and firing temperature used to make it. When it is fired at its proper temperature, it leaves a smooth, durable layer on the top of the piece that not only changes the surface but helps the piece to last much longer.
Lots of Color!
The glaze can look very different in the container and once it has been fired. For instance, a blue liquid in the bottle can be transformed into a deep, saturated navy after it has been kiln-fired. Green glazes can become emerald, teal, or seafoam, while others have the tendency to separate or shift to another color entirely. There are always going to be some surprises when glazing, which adds to the fun of the process.
Types of Glazes
- Dipping a piece into the glaze will give even coverage on a flat surface.
- Brushing will allow you to build up glaze to make color layers.
- Pouring glazes in the shape of a circle or pouring it along the edges of a vessel can provide some interesting gradients or color runs.
- Layering of different glazes or combining different textures can yield beautiful and unexpected surfaces.
Beauty with Function
Glazed objects don’t have to be decorative. Glazing is what creates waterproof functionality for vessels designed for practical uses like cups, plates, and bowls. Glaze adds both practical value and aesthetic pleasure to the piece, which are both important things.
Anything Can Happen
One thing that makes glazing so exciting (and sometimes scary) is that every time you fire the piece, it comes out different! Even after you make the first batch of glazes, it’s hard to tell what will happen. There can be a difference in the outcome of each piece based on factors such as clay composition, kiln temperature, or glaze thickness. Every time a piece comes out of the kiln, it’s a bit of an experiment to see what color the glaze turned out this time. For this reason, it can be a bit of a learning process before you can confidently create a piece with the finish and texture you desire.
Find Your Glaze Style
As you create more pieces, you will be able to find a glaze style and combination that works for you. Whether your aesthetic is to keep things simple with a matte black glaze, or to experiment with multiple colors and textures and layer your glazes with bold and dramatic effects, it’s all part of figuring out what works best for the style of the work that you produce.
In Conclusion
If you have ever looked at a ceramic piece and admired its glaze or wished you made it, that person made something that you can now take home with you! Glazing allows ceramic artists to add a unique and personal touch to the final piece. Now, when you pick up a handmade mug or hold a ceramic bowl at a market, take a moment to appreciate not only the glaze, but all the thought, creativity, and skill that went into it.