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Clay - Air Clay
| | Lustres
Successful lustre decorating begins with the greenware, which
should be carefully cleaned and bisque fired to Orton Cone 04. This encourages the
dissipation of gases which otherwise might cause imperfections in the on-glaze
and also makes crazing less likely. The areas to be lustred are then glazed and
fired. The firing should be to the highest temperature recommended for the
glaze. This is to fire out as many imperfections as possible which could mar the
lustre finish and to help inhibit crazing. Keep in mind that a satin or matt
glaze will provide a satin or matt finish to the lustre or metallic, and a gloss
glaze will furnish the glossy finish more commonly associated with lustre
finish. In firing lustres, the glaze is fired to the temperature at which the
lustre reacts and combines with the softened surface. Over firing will cause the
colours to sink too deeply into the glaze, resulting in distortion, fade-out, or
burnout. Under firing will prevent the glaze from becoming soft enough to receive
the colour, thus causing poor adherence.
Brush Technique is important. the brush should be saturated
but with the excess material worked out. Each stroke should be firmly and evenly
placed next to the last one in an effort to make the application as even as
possible. The two exceptions to this are the Opal and Mother of Pearl lustres.
These should be applied evenly. this is best accomplished by swirling or
stippling with the brush during application. However, these as well as the
others , must be applied thinly. Square brushes are recommended for Lustres
Where an even edge is required. or the decoration is to be
applied to a raised or embossed surface, the lustre may be allowed to thicken
slightly. This is accomplished by exposing a small amount of material to the air
on a glazed tile or glass. This slight thickening may be advantageous where
added brush control is desirable. The material can be thinned again with Essence
(either Gold or Lustre) . Add one drop at the time to avoid over thinning.
Halo Lustres and Metallics can never be thinned. Since the solvents in these
products must be present in exact proportions, every effort must be made to
ensure that as little evaporation as possible takes place from the containers of
Halo lustres and Metallics.
Brushes used for lustres should be kept thoroughly clean and
protected from contamination between uses. It is highly recommended that one
brush should be set aside for each metallic preparation and be so marked. As
well, a brush used for Mother of Pearl should never be used to apply any other
product with the exception of Opal.
Wash brushes in Lustre Brush Cleaner. For application of
lustres by sponge, allow the lustre to thicken slightly by exposing a small
amount to the air as described above. A thickened material will hold the sponge
pattern after application. Use a small piece of natural sponge and discard after
use.
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