Frank James Fisher’s GONE, 4½ in. (11.4 cm) in height, slab-built porcelain, glazes, underglazes, fired in oxidation to cone 6, cork, cord, metal eyelet, 2024.
Frank James Fisher’s GONE, 4½ in. (11.4 cm) in height, slab-built porcelain, glazes, underglazes, fired in oxidation to cone 6, cork, cord, metal eyelet, 2024.
The excitement of a kiln opening can be filled with fabulous successes . . . and maybe a few underachievers. For the successes, we have images of a piece along with written glaze notes to describe the color combinations used on a piece. Unfortunately, once the piece is sold, the actual hands-on visual example of those color combinations is gone. 

The typical test tile provides a wonderful example of an underglaze’s color, but it is out of context with surrounding colors. It is the combination of colors and how those colors interact that sets the tone or mood of an artwork. Having an actual sample of an underglaze color combination would be valuable information for an artist to reference for future art. 

Underglaze Color Combinations 

Much of my art is slab work decorated in layers of underglazes. After cutting away the excess clay from my decorated slab, I accumulate a small pile of work-in-process scraps from a piece (1). The scraps show the color combinations of the underglazes used on the piece. Those scraps are saved and cut into narrow strips. These underglaze clay strips will soon become a visual reference for this underglaze color combination. 

The strips are fired to bisque temperature (2). Underglaze should not stick to the kiln shelf, so you can apply an accent color of underglaze to the back of the bisque strip as an additional color reference for the future. Stack the strips onto the kiln shelf. I do not coat the kiln shelf with kiln wash in this firing because the white kiln wash will sometimes scuff and transfer white spots onto the underglaze surface as the clay shrinks during firing. Fire the strips to the final cone temperature. The resulting underglaze strips will exactly match the color combinations of the final artwork. You now own a visual reference of the exact color combination used on your piece. 

1 Trimmed from a slab in process, these scraps show a combination of underglaze colors.
1 Trimmed from a slab in process, these scraps show a combination of underglaze colors.
2 After the final firing, you will have an accurate visual reference of the underglaze colors used on specific artworks.
2 After the final firing, you will have an accurate visual reference of the underglaze colors used on specific artworks.

Display Rack 

To organize and display my expanding collection of underglaze combinations, I purchased a box of 24 empty 4-ounce spice jars and four spice-rack shelves through Amazon.com (search for Aozita brand spice jars and Ultimate Hostess spice rack) (3). To mount the display racks, cut a sheet of ½-inch-thick (1.3-cm) MDF board to 13½ inches in width × 25 inches in height (34.3 cm × 63.5 cm). Prime the backing board surface. When dry, position the four racks on the board allowing enough clearance space between the rack shelves to lift out a jar. Drill pilot holes for the rack’s screw mounts. Choose a neutral paint color and brush on a topcoat to finish the backing board (4). Position the backing board on the studio wall and screw it into the wall studs. Align the four shelves with the pilot holes and screw to the backing board. Next, place your favorite underglaze color combinations into separate spice jars. I organized mine by hue on each shelf (5). To add labels, there are wonderful pre-cut labels and printing templates available to create custom labels so you can list all the pertinent information about that sample. I ordered my labels from Amazon.com (search for Avery labels 1¼ inches × 1¾ inches) (6). 

3 Position the four spice racks on a primed MDF backer board pre-cut to size and drill pilot holes.
3 Position the four spice racks on a primed MDF backer board pre-cut to size and drill pilot holes.
4 Paint the backer board with a neutral color to display a balanced presentation of the underglaze’s chroma.
4 Paint the backer board with a neutral color to display a balanced presentation of the underglaze’s chroma.

5 Once the board is mounted to the studio wall, fill and arrange the jars with your favorite color combinations.
5 Once the board is mounted to the studio wall, fill and arrange the jars with your favorite color combinations.
6 Custom labels can be added to the jars face to provide production/material details about the sample.
6 Custom labels can be added to the jars face to provide production/material details about the sample.

My wall rack of color combinations is a source of inspiration and a confidence boost for my future underglaze color choices. Hopefully, I will achieve more than 24 successful color combinations and need another rack of underglaze colors, but this is a wonderful start. 

Frank James Fisher is a full-time ceramic artist living and working in Milford, Michigan. Fisher’s art is recognized for its strong graphic-design aesthetic, narrative content, and unique approach to the ceramic medium. Fisher is an author and exhibiting artist, and teaches workshops revealing his methods and philosophy on art. To see more, visit www.frankjamesfisher.com or follow him on Instagram @frankjamesfisher.

Unfamiliar with any terms in this article? Browse our glossary of pottery terms!
Topics: Glaze Chemistry
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