Priya Kapoor
Underglaze decoration is a method of decorating pottery, where a coloured pattern is applied to the clay before it is glazed and fired. The decoration can be applied using various tools such as brushes, pencils, stamps, or stencils, and it can be used to create intricate patterns and unique designs. The underglaze is then covered with a transparent glaze, which helps to seal the piece and enhance the colours. The temperature at which the piece is fired can impact the final colour, and historically, the range of colours available for underglaze decoration was limited due to the high firing temperature required for porcelain. However, with advancements in technology, the range of colours available for underglaze decoration has expanded, making it a versatile technique for creating vibrant and detailed designs on pottery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A form of decoration for pottery pieces |
| Application | Applied before a clear glaze |
| Use | Used to create unique designs |
| Visual Finish | Colours of the finished porcelain differ from overglaze |
| Colours | More colours available in overglaze than underglaze |
| Firing Temperature | Higher than overglaze |
| Flexibility | More flexible in terms of design compared to overglaze |
| Tools | Applied using a pencil or similar craft tool |
| Number of Coats | Up to 6 coats can be applied |
| Compatibility | Some clear glazes may not be compatible with certain colours |
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What You'll Learn
Underglaze is applied before a clear glaze
Underglaze is a decoration technique used in pottery. It involves applying a layer of paint, made from a mix of clay, colourant, and water, onto a piece of pottery before it is fired and glazed. This initial layer of paint can be applied using various tools, including brushes, sponges, and pencils, and it can be used to create intricate designs, patterns, or accents. Once the underglaze layer is complete, a clear glaze is applied over it. This final step seals the piece, making it non-porous and giving it a finished look.
The underglaze technique offers several advantages to potters and artists. Firstly, it allows for more fluidity and flexibility in design. Artists can easily add extra colour and detail, creating intricate and unique pieces. The underglaze can be applied to a clay mould, fired, and then further modified with additional colours and design elements before the final glaze is applied. This level of flexibility is not possible with overglaze techniques, where the decoration is applied after the glaze.
Another benefit of underglaze is the ease of application. Underglaze can be easier to apply with a brush than overglaze, making it simpler to create intricate designs. This level of control extends to the final product as well, as artists can more accurately apply the glaze to achieve the desired outcome. Additionally, the underglaze technique produces more vibrant colours than regular coloured glazes, resulting in brighter and more detailed pottery.
When applying underglaze, it is important to consider the number of coats required. Typically, one to six coats of underglaze are applied, depending on the desired finish and the colours used. A solid base layer of two to three coats is recommended to ensure the colour appears without streaking. Artists can then thin down the underglaze with water to create washes and achieve semi-transparent layers of colour. Testing different layers and firing temperatures is crucial to achieving the desired outcome.
Underglaze can be applied to greenware (unfired pottery) or bisqueware (fired pottery before glazing). Applying underglaze to greenware allows artists to see the final design and make any necessary adjustments. Bisqueware, on the other hand, provides a porous surface that absorbs the watery underglaze, enabling subtle blending and gradation of colours similar to watercolour painting. Artists can also use a combination of underglaze and overglaze techniques, applying the underglaze during the bisque stage for crisp lines and decorative elements.
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It can be used to create unique designs
Underglaze is a decorative technique used in pottery and ceramics. It involves applying a layer of paint, made from a mix of clay, colourant and water, directly onto a piece of pottery or clay before it is fired and glazed. This initial layer of paint can be applied in various ways, including brushing, dipping, drawing, stamping, stencilling and printing, and it can be used to create intricate and unique designs.
The versatility of underglaze decoration lies in the variety of tools that can be used to apply it. For instance, different brushes can be used to create different effects: fan brushes can add texture and nature-inspired patterns, mop brushes can be used for blending, round brushes can be used for detailing and drawing, and smaller brushes can be used for delicate designs. Larger brushes are typically used for painting backgrounds. Artists can also use rubber stamps to create patterns by dipping them in underglaze and then stamping them onto the pottery piece. Similarly, tape can be used to mask off areas and create clean, sharp lines or specific designs.
Another way to apply underglaze is by using transfer paper. This involves screen printing or free-handing a pattern onto a piece of thin paper, such as rice paper, which is then placed onto the clay surface, dampened, and burnished. Artists can purchase pre-printed designs or create their own custom patterns.
Underglaze can also be applied using pencils or crayons, which is especially useful for creating intricate details and precise designs. Regular pencils can be used to sketch out a design, which will burn off during the firing process. Underglaze pencils, on the other hand, can be used to draw directly onto the clay surface and come in a variety of colours.
The unique designs that can be achieved with underglaze are further enhanced by the layering technique. Artists can apply multiple coats of underglaze, building up to six layers, to create depth and vibrancy in their designs. The colours can be layered from light to dark, with darker colours used for outlines. This layering technique allows artists to create intricate and detailed designs with a wide range of colours and effects.
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It is made from a mix of clay, colourant and water
Underglazes are made from a mix of clay, colourant and water. They are painted onto clay to create decorative designs. The colourant used in underglazes is typically a pigment or oxide. These colourful substances are painted onto the clay in several layers to ensure that the colours and patterns are not transparent after firing, resulting in vivid and detailed designs. The number of coats can vary from one to three or even up to six, depending on the desired finish and the colours used. For example, white on dark clay may require three coats, while most outlines in black will only need one.
Underglazes are applied before a clear glaze, which is then used to seal the piece and make it non-porous. The clear glaze is typically applied after the underglaze has been fired, although it can be applied to greenware to visualise the final design. The compatibility of underglazes and glazes varies, and some combinations may result in issues such as bumpy textures or discolouration. Therefore, testing different combinations is important to achieve the desired result.
Underglazes can be applied using various tools, such as brushes, pencils, or pens, depending on the desired effect and the intricacy of the design. They can be used on different types of clay, including bone dry clay, which is the most fragile state, requiring a delicate application process. Underglazes provide more flexibility in design compared to overglazing, as they generally stay where they are put, resulting in precise and intricate designs.
The range of colours available for underglazes is more limited compared to overglazes due to the higher firing temperature required. Historically, early porcelain underglazes were often restricted to blues, browns, and reds, as other colours turned black at high temperatures.
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It is painted on in layers to ensure colours are not transparent
Underglaze is a form of decoration for pottery pieces. It is applied before a clear glaze, which helps to seal the piece and make it non-porous. The colours used in underglaze decoration have a more limited range compared to overglaze techniques due to the higher firing temperature required.
Underglaze is made from a mix of clay, colourant and water. To ensure that the colours are not transparent after firing, it is necessary to apply the underglaze in several layers. This process also helps to create a vivid and detailed design. Artists can apply up to six coats of underglaze to achieve their desired finish. It is important to let each layer dry before applying the next one, as this ensures that the layers do not lift off.
Applying multiple layers of underglaze also helps to create intricate designs with extra colour and detail. This technique allows artists more flexibility and control over the final product. Artists can also apply a clear glaze over the underglaze to create a unique design with visual depth and character.
Some artists choose to apply a white underglaze as a base before painting their design to create an opaque 'canvas' to work on. This technique can also be used to create a subtle wash effect, similar to watercolour painting.
Overall, the use of multiple layers of underglaze helps to ensure that the colours are not transparent and creates a vibrant and detailed final product.
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It is often applied using a pencil or brush
Underglaze is a decoration technique used on pottery pieces. It involves applying a layer of paint, made from a mix of clay, colourant and water, to the piece before it is fired and glazed. This paint can be applied using a pencil or brush, with the former being more suitable for intricate designs.
When using a pencil, one can sketch out the design using a regular HB or 2HB graphite pencil. This sketch will burn off during the bisque firing, leaving only the paint on the final product. One can also use an underglaze pencil, which is a type of pencil that contains the underglaze paint itself. These pencils are best used on bisque, as applying them over regular underglaze tends to result in flaking.
When using a brush, there are many types to choose from, including fan brushes, mop brushes, and round brushes. The type of brush used depends on the desired effect. For instance, fan brushes are used to add texture and nature-related patterns, while smaller brushes are used for delicate designs. One can also dip the pottery piece into a bucket of underglaze for a full layer of paint.
In addition to pencils and brushes, there are other tools that can be used to apply underglaze, such as rubber stamps and tape for masking. Tape, in particular, is useful for creating clean, sharp lines and specific designs.
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Frequently asked questions
Underglaze is a form of decoration for pottery pieces. It is applied before a clear glaze.
Underglazes are made from a mix of clay, colourant and water.
There are several ways to apply underglaze to pottery, including dipping, brushing, drawing with tools like pens and crayons, and transfer printing.
Historically, the range of colours available for underglaze was limited, especially for porcelain. Early porcelain was often restricted to blues, browns and reds as other colours turned black in high-temperature firing. Today, the range of colours available has expanded.
Underglaze can be applied at any point in the firing process before glaze. It is usually applied to greenware (unfired pottery) or bisqueware (fired pottery before it's glazed).
