Multi-Layer Glazing: Dan’s Quick Glimpse How-To - Dan Pearce Ceramics

Multi-Layer Glazing: Dan’s Quick Glimpse How-To

(Creating amazing glaze effects with multiple layers of different glaze types)

  1. Do not ever cross-contaminate any of the glazes during this process
    1. Always use a clean ladle or syringe to get thoroughly mixed glazes from their buckets/containers
    2. Always blow the tops of buckets off before opening them
    3. NEVER double-dip any piece
    4. NEVER dip your paintbrush directly in the glaze bottle or bucket – always use a side container
    5. If we all want amazing glazes, we all have to work together to never cross contaminate!
  2. Using the Pottery Bible, choose 2-3 glazes you believe will layer well together. Be sure to think about:
    1. Food safety: if you’re using your pottery for food or beverage, use all food safe glazes
    2. Sheen: glossy glazes often look better with glossy glazes, matte with matte, etc. Sometimes you can mix ‘em up, but usually don’t
    3. Glaze Stability: if a glaze is stable, it does not run. If a glaze is unstable, it is runny. When you mix a stable and an unstable glaze together, they will be runny (albeit possibly a bit less so)
  3. Always brush on your glazes when doing multiple layers. Dipping just doesn’t have the same effect. Take my word for it.
  4. Brush x2-x3 coats of your base layer inside and out. Let each layer dry thoroughly before adding a new one.
  5. Choose where you want your next layer to start/stop. Brush x2-x3 coats of your 2nd layer inside and out. Let each layer dry thoroughly before adding a new one.
  6. If using a 3rd layer, do the same thing.
    1. NOTE: Every additional layer will take longer to dry than the layer before it

NOTE: There is no glaze that doesn’t run at least a tiny bit. Always leave at least ¼” free from glaze at the bottom of your pot. NEVER have glaze on the bottom of your pot.

If you are using a flux or a runny glaze DO NOT apply glaze further down than the top 1” of your pot.

FOR BEST RESULTS:

  • Look at what other people have done to achieve awesome glaze results and find similar property glazes to use the same way they did
  • If the glaze is super thick, limit it to two coats for each glaze. Also if you’re doing 3 layers or more, limit it to two coats for each glaze
  • You can use a heat gun to speed things up, but any time you can let it dry naturally, you will have better results.
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