Project #3

 Objective: To create a palette of new sculpture glazes and to through practical experience learn about metallic oxides and stains and ceramic raw materials. To learn how to apply layered color for more varied and dimensional effects.

This is assigned to support creating and selecting the surface treatment for Project #4. The information you gather can be used to spark further testing.

Research new low fire slip, underglaze and glaze treatments. Please document this research by doing test tiles and by keeping records of recipes you have tested.

Required Reading and dates assigned:
“Handbook of Sculpture Recipes” (required) – This book has excellent contemporary sculpture glazes and will be used to gather recipes to test. It also has information about color testing and tri-axial blends. You are expected to review the recipes in this book to select those you wish to test. In some cases the glazes have descriptive information listed above the recipe. We will discuss chemicals and color and how you can tell from the recipe a bit about the glaze.

How to begin:

 Create 75 test tiles. (Note you were asked to do this in advance of beginning the project. If you have not, or need more tiles please do this right away).

Smaller test tiles 3" X 5" in size will serve well for your initial tests. A few larger tiles which relate in form and texture to your sculpture should be used to practice application and gain more specific test results. Bisque fire your tiles.

 Review the low fire sculpture glazes listed in the course book from Target Copy.
Make a selection of 5 glazes. Prepare this and your color studies for a group and/or individual discussion with me.

Round 1
1. Mix 100 gram batches of each glaze recipe.
Wet mix and place in closed labeled containers. You will be able to use these test batches to do additional tests: layering underglaze, slips, and other glazes.

2. Apply glazes to small test tiles and fire.
Use the application method you plan for the large sculpture (spraying or brushing may be best depending upon size).

3. Do layer tests (one dip, two dips and three dips) on small tiles and fire.

Round 2
1. Do color runs on your two favorite glazes.

Round 3
1. Create a line blend using you two favorite glazes that have contrasting color and or surface qualities. (See handout for line blend instructions).

Round 4
1. Paint 10 underglaze colors on the bisque tiles and dip in two of the glazes originally tested.

2. Paint 6 slip colors on the bisque tiles and dip in two of the glazes originally tested

 Create color study drawings for Project #4.
A glazed surface provides color, surface texture, light reflectivity (shiny, satin, waxy, matte), and transparency or opacity. Think about, all of the surface qualities in addition to color that you desire to research. Also consider color layering using color slips or underglaze, under a glaze of color.

Research provides the best information through frequent firing and planned tests. Please ask for advice and show me your results as they occur.