Crafts In addition to being used to create dimensional designs, as described in previous sections of this chapter, stand-up type glazes can also be adapted to other types of design work. Because stand-up type glazes do not flow during firing, they are admirably suited to glaze inlay techniques; one particular way in which these glazes can be used to advantage is in a technique to simulate the finish on Japanese Imari ware.

True Imari ware is porcelain decorated [usually elaborately] with overglaze enamels, with dark blue, strong red and green colors predominating. This type of ware was first made at Arita, on the island of Kyushu, southernmost of the main islands of Japan, during the 18th century. The ware takes its name from the port of Imari, from which it was shipped.

The piece barely resembles true Imari ware, which has very complex designs; the similarity is in the enamel-like quality of the decoration, obtained by the use of stand-up glaze. This type of finish is accomplished as follows:

Step 1 Select a suitable piece of greenware, and carefully clean it.

Step 2 - Use a soft lead pencil to sketch the design onto the piece, or trace the full-size pattern given here and transfer it to the greenware with clay carbon paper.




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Home > Crafts > Ceramics > Stand - Up Type Glazes, Part 3

May 19, 2012