What the Flux!
Welcome to What the Flux! a regular feature of “Around the Wedging Table.” Here, we will explore the glazes, what makes them run, how they are created and how they interact with the clays and other glazes. We hope this column will assist you in your glazing journey by giving you more information about individual glazes to augment your ceramic creativity. This first installment is an overview of the glazes, the results of the glaze survey and general information about changes to the iconic Glaze Wall.
In the Spring, Bill Kaplan joined TPS as its new Glaze Tech and he hit the ground running. He has reformulated some glazes, yes that is why the Red is not as runny and he and the other staff members have been diligently analyzing the results of the Glaze Survey to develop a new approach to the Glaze Wall. The current 16 glazes have been TPS mainstays for the past eight to ten years with very little change and are often described as traditional glazes. During the summer, TPS sent members a Glaze Survey asking a variety of questions to assist TPS with the new direction for the Glaze Wall. The Survey asked members to identify what they liked and disliked about the existing glazes and what changes they would like to see in glazing options.
Not surprisingly, the survey revealed there are many members who prefer the existing subdued glazes that have been around for many years and who see their pottery as a simple canvas that should become the backdrop for the food, flowers and other objects that provide the color. While others want more spectacular color like bright oranges, blues, greens and even reds that they believe bring more attention to the pottery form. The former group prefers to explore the subtleties of nine different shades of white or black, while the latter is always looking for that burst of bright color. Bill and the team are charged with the challenging responsibility of finding a middle ground that will appeal to as many people as possible. It some cases it may mean adding a glaze that is a little trickier than others and that may require a higher skill set to maximize the benefits. If that is the case, then TPS is committed to providing the training necessary so that members can take full advantage of the new glazes. Training will occur through classes, workshops and this column. The goal will be to provide as much information as possible to facilitate every potter’s glazing adventure.
The team is currently working on the Glaze Wall and have already decided to eliminate three glazes; bring back a fan favorite and introduce six completely new glazes. The new wall will provide examples of use on five (5) different clay bodies over texture as well as smooth surfaces accompanied by as much information as possible to inform the potter on how the glaze might interact with the form and the clay. Of course, there are no guarantees and other elements may alter the final results.
For instance, how long do you dip? Are you consistent or do you change with each piece. Do you even know? Well, truth be told some people don’t have a specific time in mind when they dip. They simply don’t think about it and dip until it feels right. While others actually count out 1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Mississippi, and so on for the required count according to their process. However, the length of your dip will definitely affect how your glaze comes out. For example, if you only dip Green to Black for 4 seconds instead of 8 your piece will come out black because the coverage is too thin and you will not obtain the rich variations of Green to Black as the glaze breaks over texture. Have you completed sufficient tests of your favorite glazes and how they react not only on certain clays but based on how long you dip them? Do you even know what you did the last time you had a successful outcome with Malcolm Davis Shino? A dipping guide and a consistent plan may really up your game and give you the upper hand over the glazing process. Or perhaps you are more of a free spirit and prefer to go wherever your inspiration takes you the moment you enter the glaze room. Wherever you land on the glazing spectrum you should know the technology exists to record data that will benefit all future glazing adventures. If that is what you want. This data may be exactly what you want or need if you want to layer glazes.
The Glaze Survey revealed that more than 60% of the members want to layer glazes to create new combinations of colors. If you do layer or combine glazes you must do so responsibly. You must take the necessary precautions to protect the kiln shelves. First know your glaze. Is it a runner? Will it not interact well with certain glazes. For instance, certain glazes layered over waxy white will simply slide right off never to be seen again because waxy white has a lot of talc (magnesium) and will melt at a lower temperature thus overwhelming any glaze layered over waxy white. You will also want to give your glaze room to spread if you layer and especially if it is a runner or contains flux. Don’t coat the entire piece. Instead, create a barrier either through your design or limit how far you dip so that there is room for your glaze to embrace the clay body as it allows gravity to take it on a trip.
No matter what, always use a cookie. This extra protection will put your mind at ease as you are waiting for your pieces to exit the kilns. Not to mention it will save you money because you will not have to buy a kiln shelf should you become overly exuberant during your glazing adventure. Cookies are inexpensive but necessary for a successful glazing experience. Make a few from your leftover scraps whenever you bisque that way you are always protected and there will be no surprises and unexpected costs associated with glazing. This public service announcement was brought to by the makers of Kiln Furniture whose slogan is “capture your drips before we grab hold of your money.”
Remember every piece you make will teach you something. Be prepared to learn from your mistakes and missteps and take lots of notes. In fact, don’t just take notes be sure to take good notes. Data will definitely be your friend as long as you accurately record the information. You know what they say, garbage in, garbage out. There are many apps that can assist you on your glazing journey and photos are priceless.
There are so many decisions you have to make once you enter the glazing area. What glazes will you use? Will you layer? How long and how far will you dip? Do you have the patience and curiosity to witness the interaction of fire + clay + eleven chemical ingredients and decide if you are willing to go down that road again and again or if the result must meet the “hammer of no regret” before taking another glazing path. If your curiosity is up for it, grab a cookie or two and watch this space as we continue to ask What the Flux!
Update: Just before publication the Wall was updated with many of the new glazes and test tiles. The new glazes include Rusty Blue, Sea Green, Sapphire Blue, Coleman Khaki, VC Satin Black and Eggshell White. Also the ever popular St. Johns Black has returned. There is even a suggested dipping guide depending on the clay body you are using. The glazing notes also look very detailed and helpful.
Editor’s Note: Many thanks to Bill Kaplan and Darcy Delgado for their time and amazing glazing knowledge.
The recently updated Glaze Wall that provides examples of use on five different clay bodies and over texture.