Glazing pottery may seem like a simple process at first if you are just beginning to make pottery. But the more you learn, the more variations you discover and you realize that pottery glaze is an incredibly deep topic.
You may begin by brushing glazes onto your pots but then you may learn about dipping, pouring, and spraying glaze. A lot of people start with pints of pre-mixed manufactured glaze. But there is a whole world of mixing your own pottery glaze to explore. Then you can even start to learn about glaze chemistry.
With all the complexities, it can take years to get good at glazing pottery. No matter where you start you are bound to run into some issues. And there will no doubt be plenty of questions to answer along the way.
Here are some of the most common questions about glazing pottery.
Pottery Glaze FAQ
What is pottery glaze?
Pottery glaze is usually a liquid composed of powdered materials suspended in water. This liquid is applied to pots and then fired to high temperatures which causes the glaze to melt, adhere to the clay pot, and form a glasslike surface.
Why do potters glaze pottery?
Potters usually glaze pottery to add color, certain surface qualities, and/or better functionality to a pot. Certain glazes can even make a pot safe for food or beverage use.
What is pottery glaze made of?
Pottery glaze is made of dry, powdered raw materials suspended in water. These materials include many types of oxides and clays. Ingredients are categorized as a glass former, a stabilizer, a flux, a colorant, or some combination these. There are also other additives used to adjust consistency, suspension, and application of the glaze.
Can I make my own glaze for pottery?
Yes, it is possible to make your own glaze for pottery. To put it simply, you will measure powdered ingredients according to a recipe and mix them in water. Then run the whole mix through a sieve.
How do I apply glaze to a pot?
Glaze can be applied to pottery in a number of ways such as brushing, dipping, pouring and spraying. Basically any way that you can get a thin layer of glaze onto the surface of a pot. Even bubble glazing, splatter glazing, or drawing glaze are possible.
Is ceramic glaze the same thing as paint?
Glaze is NOT the same as paint. Glaze is made up of raw materials that melt at high temperature to form a thin layer of glass on pottery. Glaze can make the surface of the pot water proof, even food safe. Paint should only be used for decorative purposes on pottery.
Should I buy glazes or make my own glazes?
There are advantages and disadvantages to mixing your own glazes. You will need to invest in more materials and equipment to mix your own glazes. Mixing glazes also takes a lot of time but can be cheaper than buying similar pre-mixed glazes. Mixing your own glazes will give you more control but you will also be responsible for researching and testing your own glazes.
Do I have to put glaze on pottery?
No, pottery does not have to be glazed. Depending on your intentions for the finished pot, you can leave part or all of the pot unglazed to reveal the bare clay when finished. But remember, some clays alone don’t form a waterproof or food safe surface when fired.
Is glazing pottery hard?
Glazing pottery can be about as easy or difficult as you want to make it. For an easy experience, brushing on a few coats of a premixed glaze from a pint jar is a good place to start. Learning glaze chemistry, formulating a glaze, mixing, and testing can be very challenging.
Do glazes go bad?
Glazes don’t usually go bad unless there is some kind of organic material added to the glaze or some kind of pollutant got into the glaze container. Glazes can settle to the bottom of a container or dry out but can be mixed or re-wet and used again in most cases.
