Making a clay bowl
Topic outline
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After bisque firing, it’s time to glaze your pot. Start by cleaning the bisque with a damp sponge to remove any dust, but don’t saturate the ware with water! If needed, you can also clean up any bumps or flaws by sanding. Just be sure to remove any sanding dust before glazing. Then, you can dip, pour, spray, or brush glaze onto your pot. If I had a large enough bucket for the glaze. While grabbing onto the foot, I rotate the pot and pour glaze evenly over the surface. After glazing the piece, clean up any drips or flaws and let it air dry. Then it is ready to be glaze-fired. Cover your work surface with newspapers or plastic to protect it from glaze spills.
- Ensure that the pottery is completely clean and dry. Remove any dust or residue. Sand bumps or imperfections off the surface. Start with an unglazed, hard ceramic object. A ceramic shop or artist might direct you to suitable objects they sell. Typically, these objects have gone through a "bisque" firing process to make it hard. Wipe the ceramic with a damp sponge before you begin and whenever it gets dirty. Let it dry. Apply wax to the base of your object, and wherever two removable parts meet. If you are mixing your glazes, follow instructions and safety procedures carefully.
- There are various colours and types of glazes available, from transparent to coloured and metallic finishes you can choose from. Select them according to the style you need. Then, thoroughly mix the glaze according to the manufacturer's instructions. If you're using glaze powder, make sure it's mixed with the correct amount of water to form a consistent liquid. Stir each glaze thoroughly. Pour each glaze into a small dish with its brush. Apply the under-glaze with your brushes. Scrape off undesired glaze with a metal object. Glaze the inside of hollow containers with narrow openings. Let each layer of glaze dry before applying the next. Finish the underglaze process by applying an overglaze. Wipe off the glaze from surfaces that will stick to the kiln. You can either dip your pottery into the glaze or apply it with a brush. Apply an even coat, ensuring there are no drips or thick spots. Leave the bottom of the pottery piece unglazed to prevent it from sticking to the kiln during firing.
- Before firing, allow the glaze to dry thoroughly. This can take several hours.
- Place your glazed pottery in the kiln for the final firing. Follow the specific firing schedule suitable for the type of clay and glaze used. Fire the glaze according to instructions.
Glazing requires a careful approach to ensure an even and smooth finish. You are advised your students to experiment with different glazing techniques and to be mindful of the glaze thickness, as this can greatly affect the final appearance of your pottery.
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