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Terra Sigillata Layer
The varied surface comes from the naturally thin terra sigillata, which makes it easy to control how thickly it’s applied with multiple layers. If the terra sigillata is applied thinner, the red clay shows through, which creates a rich foundation for the finishing glaze.
Mason Stain Additions
Another part of my layering is tinting the terra sigillata with Mason stains. Mason stains are generally what-you-see-is-what-you-get, which allows me to use them similarly to traditional watercolors. I can decorate very specific areas, patterns, and designs, which will show through the final translucent glaze. I add stain to small batches of the white base terra sigillata to create my color palette. I can manipulate the finished look by layering the stained terra sigillatas directly over the red clay or over a base coat of the white terra sigillata.
Milky Glaze Layer
I use a final layer of glaze to accentuate all of the detail underneath. My base glaze contains only three ingredients. It’s a very reliable recipe that doesn’t craze or run and fires to cone 6. Additionally, what I like about this recipe is that it has a large amount of Gerstley borate, which adds a milky quality to the glaze when applied thickly, adding yet another layer to the surface.
In the studio I mix a five-gallon bucket of the base glaze. When adding the water, I tend to be conservative since I don’t want the glaze too watery. I sieve it twice, each time with a little more water. The final consistency is on the thicker side, like heavy cream. I mix it thick so I can control the layering with a brush-. First I apply an overall thin coat, then I brush small areas with thicker coats to create cloudy patches. If applied too thick, a cloudiness will cover any lines and detail underneath.
Oxide Additions
If I want to get yet another layer of subtle color, I add various amounts of copper carbonate to tint the base glaze. The hue that works best for my surfaces is three cups of base with 2½ grams of copper carbonate.
With this combination of surface treatments, I’m able to achieve the watercolor effect I love so much in the illustrated children’s books from my childhood.
Ruth Easterbrook earned a BFA in ceramics from Syracuse University and finished an internship at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass, Colorado. To see more of her work, check out www.rutheasterbrook.com.
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