lili krakowski on fri 15 jan 10
Lis writes:
"One of things I found I had to learn was what various glaze problems
actually look like. What does underfired look like? What does too thin
look like? What does poor colour response look like? What does a blister
look like, as compared to a crater, pinhole, bubble or goodness knows =3D
what
else (if you think Al is smart, Goodness is even more so, Lili!)."
Part of the overall "problem" is that one potter's craze is another =3D
potter's crackle. One potter's "Oh Good Grief Immature!!" is another's =3D
Crater Glaze.So, as so often in life, whether you are delighted or =3D
disappointed by an "outcome" depends on what you wanted.
I am very fond of Harry Fraser's "Ceramic Faults and their Remedies" =3D
because it gives clear descriptions of diverse problem areas.
It seems to me that the important thing is to know--as best one =3D
can--what caused a specific "situation" and what will alter it. If a =3D
glaze crazes, and you are NOT looking for a crackle, know how to cure =3D
that craze. If a glaze is rough and has tiny pinholes, and that is not =3D
what you want--know how to fix that.
You can file your fingernails on some highly valued and beautiful pots. =
=3D
Others have teensy bubbles UNDER the actual surface, and that gives a =3D
glorious pearl-like effect. In essence what you want is control of your =
=3D
glazes. What you want are glazes that are ideal for what you are =3D
making.
SO:An underfired glaze is one that is not smooth and relatively silky, =3D
or nice to the touch. It may be just what you want on a sculpture. Too =
=3D
thin may mean that that particular glaze was not applied heavily enough =
=3D
to come out rich and luxurious looking, or it may mean that the actual =3D
layer of glaze was so mingy,it looks like tissue paper on the pot when =3D
kraft paper was wanted.A blister is a blister on the surface of the pot. =
=3D
It may be caused by the glaze not having healed sufficiently, or by some =
=3D
gas bubble in the clat itself, that did not make it out. Pinholes are =3D
little tiny holes, like fleabites. What are called "bubbles" generally =3D
are teensy tiny ones under the glaze surface, intended decoratively: =3D
the effect is wanted. And a crater is a sharp edged depression in the =3D
surface...often caused by a blister breaking.
One more thing. Hobart Cowles taught his students to use a jeweler's =3D
loupe to examine glaze surface. A fellow ClayArter who always remains =3D
in the shadows told me to get a 10x one, and replace the 5X my =3D
stepfather had given me. Both serve well. Not costly, saves endless =3D
time.
Lili Krakowski
Be of good courage
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