Paulette Carr on fri 26 oct 01
Tom,
At last, I can make a contribution! Like you, I use many glazes, and having
large numbers of large buckets around wouldn't work for me. In addition, I
actually paint with the glazes. So, inspired by Mel's direction to set out
an assignment for yourself, I chose brush glazing as one of mine. To make a
very long investigation short, I now use 1% VeeGum Cer dry weight in each
glaze I intend to apply by brushing. After the glaze materials are slaked
and sieved 2X, I add 1 Tablespoon of propylene glycol (bought from the drug
store) to each batch of glaze (approximately 300 grams + 1 cup of water ...
you may need to adjust this for different glazes). The glazes are now thick
and smooth flowing for brushing with a hard surface when dry.
If I am reglazing already glazed pieces, I first brush them with a
watered-down solution of Sobo glue (or Elmer's) and allow that to dry before
brushing on the above glaze. It may not be totally necessary, but I feel
that this provides a tooth for the first layer of new glaze. I use a hair
dryer to aid in drying the glaze before reapplying or coating with a
different glaze.
I hope that this works as well for you as it does for me. I actually don't
know how this compares to commercial glazes since I don't use them, but this
has made brush glazing a pure joy (not withstanding your 000 brush, Mel)! I
am so glad to offer this in the same spirit of generosity that everyone else
on the list has offered answers/solution/ideas before I even knew the
questions.
By the way, Paul Taylor, I really want to read your essay on glaze fit. How
do I obtain a copy?
Thanks in advance!
Paulette Carr
pagcarr@aol.com
St. Louis, MO
<< I mix my own glazes and pretty much only use commercial glaze to reglaze
pots that don't come out satisfactorly the first firing. I use commercial
glazes for this purpose because they go on glaze surfaces so nicely. I've
asked twice before what the commercial vendors put in their glazes that make
them so smooth and have gotten various answers that are always none
specific. I make a lot of large pots and like to use a lot of different
glazes so dipping is not a great option. I like brushing but have never come
upon a blend of additives that make my glazes apply like the commercial
ones. Again [third try] can anyone recommend specific additives that mimic
the application qualities of commercial glazes?
Thanks for any replies
Tom Sawyer
tsawyer@cfl.rr.com >>
Joan & Tom Woodward on fri 2 nov 01
Paulette's discussion of VeeGum for brushing inspired me. When I talked to
my supplier, he said Mile Hi in Denver didn't carry VeeGum but recommended
CMC instead. I followed the directions for CMC in the Mile Hi catalogue,
and voila! Great, brushable glazes. Of course, I won't know until tomorrow
when I open the kiln, how they LOOK. Details, details. . . It was so
beautiful when I was glazing yesterday that I had to interrupt and go for a
bike ride. Nature helps me keep a balance. Joan
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