Underglaze Techniques
Preparation
Walker Ceramics Wunder Colours and Design Colours are totally pre-mixed and
ready to use. Shake well before use.
Brushing
Apply to clean, dust free greenware or bisque surface. For full coverage use
the largest brush feasible for the area to be covered. A good quality ox hair,
hake or sable brush will give the best effect. Load brush as far as the ferrule.
Do not wipe brush on top edge of jar but apply fully loaded to the greenware or
bisqued surface. Apply by letting the brush bend gently to halfway, but at the
first feel of the brush dragging re-load and begin again. Allow the first coat
to dry thoroughly before applying the second or the third coats in different directions to prevent streaking.
Sponging
Pour required amount of colour onto a glazed tile or palette. Using a
slightly dampened sponge apply to greenware. Allow each coat to dry thoroughly.
Apply 3 separate coats.
Airbrushing
Underglazes need to be thinned with water for airbrushing. The airbrush
itself needs to be cleaned thoroughly between each different colour used and run
for a short time after cleaning to make sure no moisture remains. This will
ensure that the viscosity acquired will be accurate and consistent for large
areas.
Banding
Apply with brush or sponge. Place greenware on rotating banding wheel. Do not
allow brush to touch greenware when wheel is not rotating.
Majolica
Apply one coat of colour over unfired glaze to achieve a majolica effect. Use
flux extender if necessary. It is important that the unfired glaze surface is
very smooth. To achieve this a heavier glaze application is recommended. When
glaze is thoroughly dry, smooth back with a dry sponge before beginning brush
work.
Polishing
Apply colour on greenware. When ware is almost dry buff up with soft tissues
gently in a circular motion. If polishing a large area spray moisture on
underglaze or use a dampened brush to keep surface moist.
Antiquing
Thin colour and apply to bisque surface. Texture with a clean damp sponge
then glaze with transparent or semi-transparent glaze.
Raised Design Work
The colours needs to be thickened to a heavy cream consistency to do this
type of work. Pour colour onto a glazed tile or palette and allow water to
evaporate and hence thicken colour. Apply lines with a liner brush or use an
Ultimate Slip Trailer and build up lines to give your pattern variety.
Sgraffito
After application of colour and while colour is still damp use a sgraffito
tool to etch the design through the colour to the clay body.
Slip Trailing
Add slip to colour to thicken. Dampen greenware first to help adhere to ware.
Fill slip trailer with colour. Hold the nozzle close to the surface and squeeze
gently. Allow to dry and fire and then glaze normally.
Spattering & Stippling
Use a stipple brush. Load the brush sparingly. Keep the brush approx. 30
centimetres from the surface, hold the brush in one hand and flick the bristles
with the index finger of the other hand. Use 2 or 3 colours. Apply 3 coats.
Wax Resist / Latex
Usually applied to green or bisque ware. Paint designs with latex or wax
resist. Allow to dry. Paint colour over the design. Peel latex off when surface
is dry. Fire to burn out wax. Glaze normally if desired.
