AMACO-Lesson Plan #39-Overglaze Decoration on Tiles
History/Background:
“Majolica” is the historical term used to describe this decorative glaze-on-glaze process. Developed on an island off of Spain and refined in Italy, “Majolica” is the decorative ceramic technique of completely coating your ware in an opaque white glaze, then decorating on top of that glaze with decorative stains and oxides. Falence (or Faenza) and Delft pottery also employ the same technique as Majolica (Maiolica). AMACO’s low-fire LG-11 Opaque White glaze and the Gloss Decorating Colors (GDC’s), allow you to mimic this historic technique with ease and success.
Objective:
Students will learn how to replicate the historic ceramic decoration technique of “Majolica” using AMACO® Gloss Decorating Colors (GDC’s) and AMACO® low-fire Gloss Glazes.
This technique is suitable for all grades
National Visual Art Standards Addressed:
1. Understanding the visual arts in relation to history and culture.
2. Understanding and applying media, techniques, and processes.
3. Using knowledge of structures and functions.
4. Choosing a range of subject matter, symbols and ideas.
5. Reflecting upon and assessing the characteristics of artwork.
6. Making connections between visual arts and other disciplines.
Materials:
• AMACO® Gloss Decorating Colors (GDC’s)
• AMACO® Gloss Glaze – LG-11 White
• AMACO® Deco Gloss Glaze –DG-1 Black Lacquer
Majolica Tiles
1. Coat half of the 6″ x 6″ bisque tile in LG-11 Opaque White and the other half in DG-1 Black Lacquer and set aside to dry.
2. Show your students images of both historical Majolica wares and contemporary ceramic artists who use the Majolica process. Allow them to discuss the similarities and differences found in both.
- Bright Colors, Image content, Wares, Functional vs. Decorative
3. Have your students sketch out a few possible designs or motifs that they want to use for the Majolica technique. Possibly create one contemporary design and one that mimics the more historical/classical Majolica style.
4. Have your students decorate using the Majolica technique on both the glazed/fired tile and on the bisque tile that has been glazed half white and half black.
5. Fire to a witness cone 05 and discuss the results.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
AMACO® GDC’s are formulated specifically for this process. They are designed to act more stiff when fired therefore detailed line work and decoration is not lost. They are not only effective for Majolica but are also versatile enough to be used as an underglaze, as cone 5/6 Majolica and as a decorative glaze on top of a matte glaze.
For more Lesson Plan ideas, go to amaco.com/amaco-lesson-plans
