Because people have different aptitudes and different creative needs, why should ceramic glazing be limited to only one method...right!?
More importantly, artists have created many options for ceramic glazing. Try one or more methods to create awesome pieces to show off in the world of pottery.
- “Brushing” is a very traditional method, where a brush is dipped into a pre-mixed glaze and applied to the ceramic piece. It's best to use a soft-bristled brush that can hold a lot of water and to brush in one direction, not repeatedly back and forth, as this can make the surface uneven and create marks.
- “Pouring” is a glazing method that focuses on coating the inner surface of a vessel. Traditionally, the piece would be dipped into a wave tray containing the glaze, and then the glaze would be slowly poured over it. However, because this was very time-consuming, it has now been replaced by placing the ceramic piece on a conveyor belt and letting the liquid glaze flow down to coat it.
- “Dipping” In this method, a basin or tank is filled with glaze, and the ceramic piece is dipped into it so that the glaze adheres to the piece. The dipping time must be carefully judged so that the glaze coats the piece appropriately, neither too thick nor too thin. This method therefore requires a great deal of skill. Currently, industrial systems are used for dip glazing rather than time-consuming human labor.
- “Spraying” This method is used for large pieces. It involves spraying the glaze in a spray-like manner, using the principle of atomizing the glaze through special spraying equipment. This usually consists of a spray gun type of tool with a special nozzle, a cylinder for holding the glaze, and a cabinet for placing the piece to be sprayed to prevent the dispersion of the glaze during spraying. This method also requires the installation of a fan to extract the glaze mist during spraying.