Friday, March 26, 2010
Terrasig Tests
Good morning! I wanted to share some dishes that I tested my terrasig on last week. I like the way they came out and how they reacted nicely with my glaze. I am able to print easily on the surface and there are a few more texture possibilities since the sig is so much thinner than the slip I was using. It also seems to work nicely with the underglaze. I still need to do a little more testing but so far I am liking it. If nothing else I really like the red sig on the bottoms of pots to give a smoother texture without glaze. Today I have lots of decorating to do and hopefully a kiln to unload. I might take a break this weekend to paint our upstairs and if I get a chance I will share some pics of the process since I think it will be a major change (it is soon to be our office/guest room) for that space!
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11 comments:
Your tests look great. Did you put a clear over the terra sig? -- in other words are these photos after the second firing - did you put terra sig on greenware - underglazes on terra sig & then bisque? - then a clear glaze & final firing?
Terra sig, underglaze, bisque fire, wash of black mason stain, clear glaze and final firing. So, yes:)Sig can be tricky with glaze so you have to be careful which one you use. I used Meri-Kari Clear to 04 and it worked well. How are yours coming out?
I fire the terra sig to ^04 before applying any underglaze -- in fact I may add underglaze a couple of times & (re)fire - to build up the surface. Then I add clear (I mix my own clear) & fire to ^04 one last time.
I have an OM4 terra sig that I add colors to & a redart terra sig that I use on the bare clay areas only.
That's about the same as me, I just like to work on greenware when I paint and it saves me a firing. I also just found a satin glaze that I like over the sig, I'll have to test it more though. I mix my own glazes too but I used a recipe from Kari Radash...she has a great site for low fire you should check out. Gotta love the testing!
Shawna - I have looked at Kari's webpage -- lots of good stuff! I've used the Kendall clear - but not the Meri-Kari.
I still have not found a clear I really like. The clears are either too matte & dry for food - or to shiny/glossy for the look I'm after. Right now I'm using Ron Meyer's clear. And for my colored glazes - I use one base (Hirsch) & add colorants. Both of these recipes are on my blog.
Judy,
Do you have a recipe for a matte clear? I have been searching for one! I don't care if it's too mate for food as I plan to only use it on the outsides of pots. Every one I have tried is too milky. I don't even need it to be thick. If you have one you wouldn't mind sharing I would be super appreciative:) Thanks!
Oh, and the Meri-Kari is nice but prone to pinholes, not sure what to do about that yet. I try to soak it at the end of the cycle but I think it gets caught on my surfaces if that makes sense?
These are mighty fine. Fun to read the comments back and forth with you and Judy.
Shawna -- I have 3 different clear recipes -- none are matte -- but I think your clear is turning milky because of the soak or you are cooling too slowly. Clear - but it's very nature doesn't need a slow cool -- matte surface happens by crystals forming in the slow cool -- thus making it not clear anymore or milky. Does that make sense?
That's why I fire so many times -- with the clear firing being last.
these are FANTASTIC!!
Shawna - clears are hard to get matte. When a glaze is matte it has formed crystals - so that would prevent 'clear' -- maybe why you get milky areas. Clear glazes don't like to be slow cooled for that very reason. A transparent is not as glossy, but I think they are too dry - sometimes - for functional pieces.
I don't have a clear/transparent I really like -- yet! All of my recipes are posted on my blog & I have a search feature at the upper right hand area of my blog.
Let me know what your testing reveals & I'll do the same. :>))
You work is amazing. I love it!!!
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