Glazing - The use of Oxides

Experimenting with Oxides: Lessons from My Test Tiles

Today I spent some time working with the 15 test tiles I’ve been saving from the beginning of the course. I painted them with a variety of oxides and then dipped them—half in white glaze, half in transparent glaze—to see how the colors would react under different conditions.

I sent 5 tiles to be fired at stoneware temperatures, 5 at earthenware temperatures, and the final 5 to be fired at stoneware temperatures in a gas kiln to create a reduction firing.

I really enjoyed the process of painting the oxides—it’s always exciting to see how colors layer and interact. But as I stepped back, I realized I had applied them too thickly. In hindsight, I should have wiped them back to allow more subtlety and variation. Naturally, I’m not too hopeful about the outcome this time.

Still, even if the results aren’t perfect, this is part of the learning process. I’ve learned the importance of layering and controlling oxide application, and I plan to do further testing on some spare bisque ware to really understand the potential of these materials.

This experience has reminded me that experimentation—even when it doesn’t go perfectly—provides invaluable insight. Sometimes “mistakes” can teach us more than success ever could.

Key to Oxide Glazing

Column One

Tile One - EW1 - Copper Carbonate and Copper Oxide

Tile Two - EW2 - Iron Oxide Black and Iron Oxide Red

Tile Three - EW3 - Iron Oxide Yellow and Cobalt Carbonate

Tile Four - EW4 - Manganese Oxide and Iron Oxide Red

Tile Five - EW5 - Copper Carbonate and Iron Oxide Yellow

Column Two

Tile One - SW1 - Copper Carbonate and Copper Oxide

Tile Two - SW2 - Iron Oxide Black and Iron Oxide Red

Tile Three - SW3 - Iron Oxide Yellow and Cobalt Carbonate

Tile Four - SW4 - Manganese Oxide and Iron Oxide Red

Tile Five - SW5 - Copper Carbonate and Iron Oxide Yellow

Column Three

Tile One - SW Red 1 - Copper Carbonate and Copper Oxide

Tile Two - SW Red 2 - Iron Oxide Black and Iron Oxide Red

Tile Three - SW Red 3 - Iron Oxide Yellow and Cobalt Carbonate

Tile Four - SW Red 4 - Manganese Oxide and Iron Oxide Red

Tile Five - SW Red 5 - Copper Carbonate and Iron Oxide Yellow