Applying white crawl glaze involves building up layers to achieve the desired effect, paying close attention to thickness.
Crawl glazes are unique in how they are applied compared to regular glazes. They require specific techniques to achieve the characteristic "crawled" texture during firing.
Key Steps for Applying White Crawl Glaze
Achieving the distinctive cracked pattern of a crawl glaze depends heavily on the application process, particularly the glaze thickness.
1. Prepare Your Piece
Ensure your bisque-fired ceramic piece is clean and free of dust or debris. This helps the glaze adhere properly.
2. Apply Multiple Coats
According to best practices for crawl glazes, you will need several coats brushing. Brushing is a common method for applying these types of glazes to control thickness.
3. Build Up Thickness Carefully
The crucial part is building up the glaze thickness. Continue applying layers until you reach a specific point.
Apply glaze until it just starts to crack on the piece when dry, like a dried-up lakebed.
This dry cracking is an indicator that you have achieved sufficient thickness for the glaze to crawl during firing.
4. Avoid Over-Application
While thickness is key, there is a limit. Do not apply the glaze so thick that it flakes off of the piece when dry. If the glaze is flaking before firing, it's too thick and may not adhere properly.
5. Understand Thickness and Crawl Size
The thickness of the applied glaze directly influences the final look:
- Where the glaze is thicker, the crawl size is larger.
- Conversely, thinner areas will result in smaller cracks or potentially no crawl effect at all.
Experimentation on test tiles is highly recommended to understand how your specific glaze behaves at different thicknesses.
6. Drying Before Firing
Allow the glazed piece to dry completely before loading it into the kiln. The dry cracking (like a lakebed) should be visible.
Summary of Application Technique
| Step | Action | Key Point |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Apply multiple coats, typically by brushing. | Build layers gradually. |
| Thickness Goal | Apply until the dry glaze just starts to crack. | Aim for a "dried-up lakebed" look when dry. |
| Avoid | Do not apply so thick that the dry glaze flakes off. | Flaking indicates excessive thickness. |
| Effect Control | Vary thickness to control crawl size. | Thicker areas = larger crawl. |
By following these steps, you can effectively apply white crawl glaze to achieve the desired textured finish after firing.
