Layering AMACO Glazes
Click on photo or text to see layering with the specified color.
Layering with PC-59
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Layering with PC-12
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Layering with PC-29
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PC Glaze Application Tips
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Potter’s Choice Glaze Application—Combining/Layering;
Faceted Tea Bowls–specific application, what I did
By Tracy Gamble
This Faceted tea bowl has a combination of PC-36 Ironstone under PC-33 Iron Lustre. A few brushstrokes of PC-36 Ironstone were applied, then another coat on these few brushstrokes. When dry apply 3 coats of PC-33 Iron Lustre over the entire tea bowl including the previously applied few brushstrokes. Be sure to let each coat dry before applying the next, and float the glaze on using a fan brush. |
This tea bowl has a combination of PC-12 Blue Midnight under PC-32 Albany Slip Brown. A few brushstrokes of PC-12 Blue Midnight were applied, then another |
I glazed these faceted tea bowls with two Potter’s Choice glazes (PC-59 Deep Firebrick and PC-53 Ancient Jasper). Both glazes were brushed onto AMACO No. 38 White Stoneware clay bisque fired to Cone 04. I brushed on two coats of PC-59 Deep Firebrick in a pattern using a fan brush. The patterns vary, but for the look on these tea bowls, I used a tall oval shape in three places on the outside and repeated the pattern on the inside. I recommend always letting the glaze dry between coats.
Once the second coat of the PC-59 Deep Firebrick was dry I brushed PC-53 Ancient Jasper onto the entire inside and outside surface of the tea bowl leaving the bottom 3/8" of the foot clear of glaze. I brushed three coats of Ancient Jasper directly over the Deep Firebrick. For good coverage and no brush marks I painted the Ancient Jasper glaze on with each coat brushed on in an opposite direction. The first coat brushed on going around the outside and then around on the inside. The second coat brushed on up and down the sides and the inside of the pot, and the third coat going around again, and so on.
Different ways to apply: Experiment with combinations of glazes, different numbers of coats of each glaze, (up to a total of three to four coats) and ways to layer the glazes on your clay pieces. There are many Potter’s Choice glaze colors providing a huge number of possible glaze layering combinations. I suggest experimenting with many different Potter’s Choice glazes, numbers of coats of glazes, and many different ways and tools to get glaze on your pots. Each different application can give you a different look. Use brushes, sponges, splatter and spatter techniques, to name just a few. I use a fan brush for full coverage and certain designs. I also use many other kinds of brushes, too. I like to use sponges to apply one of the glazes layered in combination and then brush coats of the second glaze on top using a fan brush. Try different kinds of sponges, too. Cut them in shapes, put into glaze, and press that shape or dab for a loose design. I also use one of the Potter’s Choice glazes as a base coat (brushed on) and then apply a second glaze using a sponge or splatter method on top. Experiment with the order of layering the different glazes. AMACO has a Spatter Brush that works like a rotating tooth brush—it is excellent for another way to get glaze onto a pot for a different texture. Keep track of how many coats you are applying. The total recommended number of coats is on the label of each of the Potter’s Choice glazes, usually three to four coats. Experiment and test because different glazes react differently to design and layering combinations. Take notes so you can recreate favorite glaze combinations and application techniques.
I have found when I’m combining breaking or moving glazes the first layer of design may move and the overall glaze may move down the pot, too. Potter’s Choice glazes are designed to break and move—that means pull apart a bit to show variation in color over texture or along rims. Some of the Potter’s Choice glazes move more than others and sometimes the glaze moves according to how thick the coats are applied. Also, different combinations of glazes and coats will move differently, too.
Always be aware of the combinations you are making and match the temperature of clay to the temperature of glaze. For example, the clay I used for the faceted tea bowls was AMACO’s 38M and is a Cone 5 – Cone 6 temperature, white stoneware clay body. The Potter’s Choice glazes, PC-59, Deep Firebrick and PC-53, Ancient Jasper, are for use at Cone 5 – Cone 6 temperature. The clay body and the glaze firing temperatures match.
Experiment and test and you will be delighted at the multitude of possibilities there are in application techniques and combining/layering different glazes.
Josh Heim Created the Following Potter’s Choice Combination Cups
Layering with PC-59 Deep Firebrick as a Base
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These cups were glazed by applying two good coats of PC-59 Deep Firebrick in a horizontal direction. Let each coat dry before applying the next. Then two good coats of the “layered” glaze were applied over the Deep Firebrick in a vertical direction. Again, let each coat dry before applying the next. These cups were fired to Cone 6 at medium speed with a 10 minute hold. To learn what constitutes a “good coat”, please click here. |
Click on photos to enlarge. Large photos are the perfect PowerPoint size for use in your presentation!
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Layering with PC-12 Blue Midnight as a Base
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Josh Heim created these Potter’s Choice Combination Cups using one thick coat of PC-12 Blue Midnight as a base. Then three coats of the top coat were applied. Let dry between coats. Josh uses a fan brush to apply the glazes. He says this allows for a more even coverage. AMACO® 46-M, a Cone 5/6 stoneware clay was used to create the cups. |
Click on photos to enlarge. Large photos are the perfect PowerPoint size for use in your presentation!
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Layering with PC-29 Deep Olive Speckle as a Base
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Ceramic artist Josh Heim glazed these Potter’s Choice Combination Cups by applying two coats of PC-29 Deep Olive Speckle as a base followed by two coats of the second PC color. Best results are achieved when the first coat is allowed to dry before adding the second. He used a fan brush for more even coverage. The cups were created with AMACO® Buff Stoneware Clay No. 46, a Cone 5-6 clay body. |
Click on photos to enlarge. Large photos are the perfect PowerPoint size for use in your presentation!
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More About Josh Heim
My clay experience started in a hand building class where they demonstrated throwing on the wheel. Shortly following that experience, I was able to watch and be a part of a wood firing. I went to school at Bethel University in St. Paul MN where I studied ceramics. Afterwards I moved back to my hometown, Lancaster, PA and worked at Kevin Lehman’s Pottery, which hosts the Strictly Functional Pottery National Show, and continued to hone my skills. I am currently employed at AMACO where I teach classes and enjoy experimenting with our clay and glazes.
My glazing and firing techniques still center around cone 10 reduction in either a gas or wood kiln, but the Potter’s Choice glazes have peaked my interest. I look for a glaze that gives me a raw, earthy, or natural feel to them; yet leave a little curiosity in my mind once I set them in the kiln. I placed the PC combinations on these specific cups because like the glazes, the cups have their own personalities and uniqueness that comes forth when I make each one. I used AMACO 46-M, a Cone 5 buff stoneware clay body to create these cups. Some of the glazes greatly exceeded my expectations! In particular, I love the combinations using PC-32, and PC-60. And I call the PC-28 and PC-49 combos, the “Michelangelo” glazes for their old world renaissance quality. It’s not every day you can challenge a high firing potter to use the electric kiln, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Other Cone 5 – Cone 6 temperature AMACO clay bodies:
- No. 46 Buff Stoneware
- No. 48 Stoneware Body With Grog
- No. 480 Stoneware Body Without Grog
- No. 58 Warm Brown Stoneware
- No. 65 Porcelain
Other Cone 5 – Cone 6 temperature AMACO glazes:
- “HF” Mid/High Fire Celebration Glazes
- “PA” Pompeian Ash Mid/High Fire Glazes
- “HF” Mid/High Fire Sahara Glazes
- “TH-1” Mid/High Fire Texturizer
Opalescents Over Velvets |
