John Post on fri 8 jan 10
Hi Monica,
I teach elementary art and you're right that glazing is difficult for
little kids. If you touch up their projects before they load them in
the kiln, they think they are doing a good job when in fact they
aren't. If you leave them the way they are, they come out with lots
of misses.
On the glaze recipes page of my website at http://www.johnpost.us I
have listed right at the top three variations for a Majolica glaze I
use with the kids in my classes. This glaze is fired to cone 1 and I
use Amaco lowfire glazes and underglazes over the top of it. The clay
I use is Rovin's RO-82 Terra Cotta. It can go as high as cone 6
without turning into a puddle in your kiln. I like the warmth of the
dark terra cotta coming from below the cone 1 white glaze.
If you are using a low-fire white talc body you should not fire it up
to cone 1 with my Majolica glaze, because it is very likely to melt
into a puddle on the kiln shelf. I do not believe that lowfire white
clays are a good choice for elementary classrooms. They are usually
half talc and half clay. Because of this if a kiln ever over fires,
the talc fluxes the clay body into a puddle ruining the kids' work and
the kiln shelves. Many terra cotta bodies can easily go to cone 1-3.
Amazingly, the cone 05-06 Amaco glazes do not run off the pieces even
though they are being fired hotter than recommended.
The procedure we use on glazing day is this. I have the bucket of
Majolica glaze and a frying pan on a low table at the front of the
room. I call up the kids one at a time. I dip the bottom of their
piece in a frying pan with paraffin wax in it. I have ten sets of
glazing tongs, this keeps the process moving smoothly. I teach the
kids how to grasp the tongs with one hand like pliers (if they use one
hand on each handle, they lose their grip and drop the piece into the
glaze bucket).
Then the kids dip their piece in and out of the bucket and carry it
back to their table in the art room. I teach them what it looks like
when the majolica glaze is dry, then I tell them they can go around
the room to any of the tables that have colored glazes on them. In
small little butter tubs I have about an inch of lowfire glaze, if you
give them more, Murphy's Law guarantees they will spill it all over as
close to clean up time as possible. Next to each butter tub is a test
tile so they can see what the fired glaze will look like. I tell them
to use the brushes that are at each station and to not carry their
brushes from table to table (otherwise they pollute all the light
colored glazes). When they are done, they place their sculptures on
cafeteria trays I have on the counter by the kiln room. I keep a
couple of tables empty so kids who finish early can go draw with color
pencils and crayons.
A trick I use to keep track of which class' work is which, is I stamp
a class code into the bottom each piece on the day they make them in
wet clay. Mrs. Miller's first grade class gets stamped with a bisque
stamp that reads M-1. Andrus' 6th grade AN-6. I use rubber stamps
pressed into a clay tile to make the class code stamps. I bisque the
tile with the class codes in it and then roll cylinders of clay to
press into the bisqued tile to make the individual class code bisque
stamps.
These links are to pages on my school website showing kid art finished
with the cone 1 Majolica glazes and Amaco glazes and underglazes over
the top of them...
http://www.macomb.k12.mi.us/utica/Schwarzkoff/art-archives/!art-06-07/okeef=
e/clay-flowers/clay-flowers.htm
http://www.macomb.k12.mi.us/utica/Schwarzkoff/art-archives/!art-06-07/clay-=
majolica-bowls/majolica-bowls.htm
http://www.macomb.k12.mi.us/utica/Schwarzkoff/art-archives/09-art/clay-peng=
uins/clay-penguins-2009.html
http://www.macomb.k12.mi.us/utica/Schwarzkoff/art-archives/!art-06-07/skunk=
s/clay-skunks.htm
http://www.macomb.k12.mi.us/utica/Schwarzkoff/art-archives/!art-06-07/clay%=
20chickens/clay-chickens.htm
This page shows kids glazing pots with tongs...
http://www.macomb.k12.mi.us/utica/Schwarzkoff/art-archives/08-art/glazing/g=
lazing-pots.htm
This page shows a paint technique I use sometimes with some of the
assignments. Tempera paint is used instead of glaze, and then an
acrylic pearlescent painting medium/varnish is brushed over the tops
of these works by me when the kids leave art. I purchase the medium
in quart containers from Sax Art supply.
http://www.macomb.k12.mi.us/utica/Schwarzkoff/art-archives/09-art/claymasks=
/clay-masks.html
John Post
Sterling Heights, Michigan
:: cone 6 glaze website :: http://www.johnpost.us
:: elementary art website :: http://www.wemakeart.org
Monica Wright on fri 8 jan 10
Tired of my elementary students not glazing their work completely.=3DA0 Lea=
vi=3D
ng little spots of ugly here and there.=3DA0 Was thinking of mixing up a 5 =
ga=3D
llon bucket of white glaze to dip their work in and then having them paint =
=3D
over it with 1-2 coats of AMACO/Laguna lowfire glazes.=3DA0 Don't forsee an=
y =3D
problems.=3DA0 Those glazes are pretty idiot proof.=3DA0 Anyone else do thi=
s so=3D
rt of thing with commercial glazes over a homemade base coat?=3D0A=3D0AI ha=
ve s=3D
everal lowfire white recipes but if anyone has a foolproof one I would be m=
=3D
uch apprciative.=3DA0 I have many basic materials to use -Frit (3124, 3110,=
3=3D
134), Kaolin, Zircopax, zinc ox, etc...=3DA0 Maybe a little Gerst. borate t=
oo=3D
.=3DA0 Should be no problem to scrape together enough to make 3-4 gallons o=
r =3D
so of white glaze.=3D0A=3D0AThanks.
Lis Allison on sat 9 jan 10
On Friday 08 January 2010, Monica Wright wrote:
> Tired of my elementary students not glazing their work completely.
> Leaving little spots of ugly here and there. Was thinking of mixing up
> a 5 gallon bucket of white glaze to dip their work in and then having
> them paint over it with 1-2 coats of AMACO/Laguna lowfire glazes.
> Don't forsee any problems.
Um, I do. Putting a second glaze over another one will very likely cause
them to run, certainly it will affect the colours of whatever is on top.
Now if you want to dip the pieces in a white or clear base glaze and let
them paint stains/oxides on top, that might work.
Would it be better to let them decorate with underglaze/stains/oxides on
the bisque and then dip into a clear glaze? Knowing kids, though, I'd say
you'd almost certainly have to re-bisque to fire on the colourants, else
the pieces will be a smudgy mess. After re-bisqueing, rub or sand off the
excess (ie loose) colourants before glazing. Kids tend to pile them on!
Lis
--
Elisabeth Allison
Pine Ridge Studio
www.Pine-Ridge-Studio.blogspot.com
Marilu Tejero on sat 9 jan 10
Monica,
I let my kids finger glaze, smudge, make a big mess, my only rule is color =
=3D
over color =3DA0and the results are stunning.
let them enjoy and experience.
--- On Sat, 1/9/10, Chris Leake wrote:
From: Chris Leake
Subject: Re: Elementary kids can't glaze worth a darn
To: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Date: Saturday, January 9, 2010, 1:58 PM
Monica,
"Tired of my elementary students not glazing their work completely.=3DA0 Le=
av=3D
ing little spots of ugly here and there."
Why must the student work be perfect?=3DA0 How will they learn if they are =
on=3D
ly allowed one way to do things? Let it go.=3DA0 Let them enjoy with some f=
re=3D
edom.
Chris
http://potterybychris.com
=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A
Jeannean on sat 9 jan 10
John Post explained how he has his students work in majolica, and =3D
provided links to examples of their work.
All I can say is, you rock, Mr. Post! I wanna be in one of your classes!
Thanks for sharing - it's given me some ideas for working with my =3D
grandnephew who's 6 years old and loves to come to our house to play in =3D
clay. I've been wanting to try majolica.... maybe he and I can learn =3D
together.
Jeannean
Spider Hole Pottery
Astoria, Oregon
...where the sun came out today and nearly blinded me - I'm not used to =3D
seeing the sun this time of year. Or most of the year, for that matter. =3D
But the rain does keep everything green.
William & Susan Schran User on sat 9 jan 10
On 1/8/10 8:45 PM, "Monica Wright" wrote:
> Tired of my elementary students not glazing their work completely.=3DA0 L=
eavi=3D
ng
> little spots of ugly here and there.=3DA0 Was thinking of mixing up a 5 g=
allo=3D
n
> bucket of white glaze to dip their work in and then having them paint ove=
=3D
r it
> with 1-2 coats of AMACO/Laguna lowfire glazes.=3DA0 Don't forsee any prob=
lems=3D
.=3DA0
> Those glazes are pretty idiot proof.=3DA0 Anyone else do this sort of thi=
ng w=3D
ith
> commercial glazes over a homemade base coat?
>=3D20
> I have several lowfire white recipes but if anyone has a foolproof one I =
=3D
would
> be much apprciative.=3DA0 I have many basic materials to use -Frit (3124,=
311=3D
0,
> 3134), Kaolin, Zircopax, zinc ox, etc...=3DA0 Maybe a little Gerst. borat=
e to=3D
o.=3DA0
> Should be no problem to scrape together enough to make 3-4 gallons or so =
=3D
of
> white glaze.
Good idea, but you might run into a problem depending how strict your
school/district is about hazardous/toxic materials used in elementary
classrooms. Often public schools only allow art materials that are labeled
by the manufacturer as non-toxic. Since you are making the glaze, it would
be harder to determine if the glaze is non-toxic.
Many low fire glazes mixed by the teacher/potter may contain small
quantities of clay, so the glazes will have more of a tendency to dust off
when dry. This might create a problem depending how the glazed pieces are
handled. Adding a gum binder will help with this. Some gums will also help
to keep the glaze in suspension.
Also consider the fact that the kids probably don't care all that much abou=
=3D
t
the "little spots of ugly", they're just excited about having made
something. May not be an issue to them until you point it out.
Bill
--=3D20
William "Bill" Schran
wschran@cox.net
wschran@nvcc.edu
http://www.creativecreekartisans.com
jeanne wood on sat 9 jan 10
I mix the glazes for my classes to make my budget to go farther.
About leaving little kids leaving little unglazed spots and otherwise imper=
=3D
fect to the adult view. I think we teachers have to consider what the goal =
=3D
is for the children's work, is there learning and improvement taking place,=
=3D
and who are the ones going to be happy or unhappy with the outcome?
But I teach kids with behavioral/emotional problems so my goals may be diff=
=3D
erent from the typical art room.
-Jeanne W.
In Idaho
--- On Fri, 1/8/10, Monica Wright wrote:
From: Monica Wright
Subject: Elementary kids can't glaze worth a darn
To: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Date: Friday, January 8, 2010, 6:45 PM
Tired of my elementary students not glazing their work completely.=3DA0 Lea=
vi=3D
ng little spots of ugly here and there.=3DA0 Was thinking of mixing up a 5 =
ga=3D
llon bucket of white glaze to dip their work in and then having them paint =
=3D
over it with 1-2 coats of AMACO/Laguna lowfire glazes.=3DA0 Don't forsee an=
y =3D
problems.=3DA0 Those glazes are pretty idiot proof.=3DA0 Anyone else do thi=
s so=3D
rt of thing with commercial glazes over a homemade base coat?
I have several lowfire white recipes but if anyone has a foolproof one I wo=
=3D
uld be much apprciative.=3DA0 I have many basic materials to use -Frit (312=
4,=3D
3110, 3134), Kaolin, Zircopax, zinc ox, etc...=3DA0 Maybe a little Gerst. =
bo=3D
rate too.=3DA0 Should be no problem to scrape together enough to make 3-4 g=
al=3D
lons or so of white glaze.
Thanks.
=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A
Earl Brunner on sat 9 jan 10
For kids at the art center, what we usually do is have them paint their pie=
=3D
ces with underglaze (commercial underglaze tends to usually approximate the=
=3D
final color somewhat, ) then we dip the pieces in=3DA0a transparent=3DA0gl=
aze=3D
=3DA0 and fire to finish.=3DA0 I showed that technique to the art teacher a=
t my=3D
school and she sometimes uses it.=3DA0 When you have 600-800 kids and thei=
r =3D
corresponding projects to fire, it gets a little hairy.=3DA0 But it beats j=
us=3D
t bisqueing them and painting them with paint.=3D0A=3DA0Earl Brunner=3D0ALa=
s Vega=3D
s, NV =3D0A=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A________________________________=3D0AFrom: M=
onica Wright=3D
=3D0ATo: Clayart@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG=3D0ASent: Fri, =
Janu=3D
ary 8, 2010 5:45:35 PM=3D0ASubject: Elementary kids can't glaze worth a dar=
n=3D
=3D0A=3D0ATired of my elementary students not glazing their work completely=
.=3DA0=3D
Leaving little spots of ugly here and there.=3DA0 Was thinking of mixing u=
p =3D
a 5 gallon bucket of white glaze to dip their work in and then having them =
=3D
paint over it with 1-2 coats of AMACO/Laguna lowfire glazes.=3DA0 Don't for=
se=3D
e any problems.=3DA0 Those glazes are pretty idiot proof.=3DA0 Anyone else =
do t=3D
his sort of thing with commercial glazes over a homemade base coat?=3D0A=3D=
0AI =3D
have several lowfire white recipes but if anyone has a foolproof one I woul=
=3D
d be much apprciative.=3DA0 I have many basic materials to use -Frit (3124,=
3=3D
110, 3134), Kaolin, Zircopax, zinc ox, etc...=3DA0 Maybe a little Gerst. bo=
ra=3D
te too.=3DA0 Should be no problem to scrape together enough to make 3-4 gal=
lo=3D
ns or so of white glaze.=3D0A=3D0AThanks.=3D0A
Chris Leake on sat 9 jan 10
Monica,
"Tired of my elementary students not glazing their work completely.=3DC2=3D=
A0 L=3D
eaving little spots of ugly here and there."
Why must the student work be perfect? How will they learn if they are only=
=3D
allowed one way to do things? Let it go. Let them enjoy with some freedom=
=3D
.
Chris
http://potterybychris.com
John Post on sun 10 jan 10
Hi Marilu,
You may wish to rethink the process of having kids use their fingers
for glazing. I visited the Crayola crayon factory with my son when he
was in elementary school and they mentioned that all of their art
supplies (crayons and paints) are food safe, because they know that
some kids are going to put them in their mouth and eat them.
The same is not true for ceramic glazes. I ask my students if they
would go out on the playground and eat rocks, or if they would eat an
entire bottle of vitamins at once. Naturally they wouldn't. Then I
tell them how glazes are made of rocks and that even though some of
the ingredients that are in rocks are in vitamins, it is not good to
eat a whole bunch of rocks.
When my students are done glazing I direct them to wash their hands,
so they don't go to the lunchroom and eat rocks with their lunch.
It's important to teach kids proper and safe studio practices at a
young age.
I had a high school teacher who used to make a point on his paint
brushes by wetting them in his mouth. Considering all of the heavy
metals that can be found in paints, this was a really poor way to
teach high school kids to use a brush.
As an aside, I once had a kid who used his tongue to lick all of the
black crayola paint off the top of his table in art class. He was a
pretty good licker, but I still taught him how to use a sponge anyway.
John Post
Sterling Heights, Michigan
:: cone 6 glaze website :: http://www.johnpost.us
:: elementary art website :: http://www.wemakeart.org
On Jan 9, 2010, at 11:07 PM, Marilu Tejero wrote:
> Monica,
> I let my kids finger glaze, smudge, make a big mess, my only rule is
> color over color and the results are stunning.
> let them enjoy and experience.
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