Whether you’re a seasoned ceramic artist or a beginner exploring the world of hand-building and wheel throwing, the palette of underglazes available can feel endless, and the choice of which to use can be daunting.
As I started experimenting with different underglaze techniques on my ceramic pieces, I kept returning to one brilliant and versatile material – coyote underglaze. With its warm orange-brown tones and buttery smooth texture, coyote underglaze became my go-to for adding depth, texture, and visual interest to functional and decorative pieces.
In this post, I’ll share the basics of how to use coyote underglaze on pottery. By the end, I hope you’ll feel inspired to try coyote underglaze on your next ceramic project.
What Will You Need?
To get started, you’ll need:
- Leather-hard pottery piece of your choice
- Coyote underglaze in the colors of your choice
- Paintbrushes (various sizes)
- Water and a small container for mixing
- Clear glaze (optional)
Once you have these materials ready, it’s time to get started!
10 Easy Steps on How to Use Coyote Underglaze on Pottery
Step 1: Prepare Your Pottery Piece
Before applying the underglaze, ensure your pottery piece is at the leather-hard stage. It should be firm enough to handle without bending or collapsing but soft enough to carve still or manipulate if desired. If your piece is too dry, it might also not accept the underglaze and can lead to flaking. Conversely, the underglaze could run or not adhere properly if it’s too wet. Consider wrapping your piece in plastic if you need to pause your work, as this will help maintain the proper moisture level while you prepare your colors and tools.
Step 2: Mix Your Underglaze Colors
Begin by shaking or stirring your coyote underglazes thoroughly to ensure the pigment is evenly distributed throughout the medium. Pour small amounts of your chosen underglaze colors into a palette or container and add a touch of water if needed to achieve the consistency of heavy cream.
Remember, underglazes can be mixed like any other paint to create custom colors, so feel free to experiment. Use a separate container to mix colors to avoid contaminating your original pots of underglaze.
Step 3: Test the Underglaze on a Test Tile
Before applying your mixed underglaze colors to your main pottery piece, it’s good practice to test them on a small test tile. This will allow you to see how the colors appear on a bisque surface, how they interact, and what they look like once fired. Let your test tile dry, then bisque fire it to better understand the final appearance of your underglazes. This step can help you avoid any unwanted surprises on your finished piece.
Step 4: Apply the Underglaze to Your Pottery
With your colors ready and the test tile complete, apply the underglaze to your pottery piece using your brushes. Apply a thin layer at first, using smooth, even strokes. If you want a more opaque finish, apply additional coats after the initial layer has dried. Be mindful to let each layer dry thoroughly before applying the next to prevent the colors from blending unintentionally.
You can use different brush sizes and styles to create a variety of textures and patterns. Remember, the underglaze can also be sgraffito-ed to reveal the clay body beneath, adding another dimension to your designs.
Step 5: Allow the Underglaze to Dry
After you’ve applied the underglaze to your satisfaction, allow the piece to dry completely. This drying stage is crucial, ensuring that the underglaze adheres to the pottery’s surface and that subsequent layers do not re-wet and smudge the design.
The drying time will vary depending on the thickness of the underglaze application and the humidity of your working environment. Patience during this stage will pay off with crisp lines and transparent colors.
Step 6: Bisque Fire Your Pottery
Once the underglaze has dried completely, it’s time to bisque fire your pottery. Bisque firing will set the underglaze and prepare the clay body for glazing. Carefully load your piece into the kiln, ensuring adequate space around it for proper heat circulation.
Follow your kiln’s specifications for a cone appropriate to your clay body, usually around Cone 04-06. The bisque firing is a crucial step in transforming your work from clay to ceramic, making it durable and permanent.
Step 7: Inspect and Sand the Bisqued Pottery
After bisque firing, inspecting your pottery for any surface imperfections is essential. Small bumps or rough areas can be gently sanded away with fine-grit sandpaper to create a smooth surface for glazing. Remember to wear a dust mask and to work in a well-ventilated area as bisque dust can be harmful to inhale. Wipe down your piece with a damp sponge to remove any dust particles created from sanding before moving on to the next step.
Step 8: Apply a Clear Glaze for Finish
Applying a clear glaze over your underglaze pottery is an optional but often recommended step. A clear glaze will seal and protect the underglaze colors and give your piece a glossy finish, making the colors appear more vibrant. To apply the clear glaze, pour it into a separate container and dip your bisqueware into the ice to coat it evenly.
Alternatively, you can use a brush for more controlled application, particularly for intricate designs or when only part of your piece requires glazing. Ensure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the best results and allow the glaze to dry completely before the final firing.
Step 9: Load and Glaze Fire Your Pottery
Carefully load your glazed pottery into the kiln for the final glaze firing. This step is pivotal as it will vitrify the glaze and clay body, making the piece functional and robust. Space the items evenly to allow for proper airflow and to prevent any items from touching, which could cause them to fuse.
Set the kiln to the temperature specified for your glaze’s maturity, often around Cone 5-6 for mid-range stoneware, and monitor the firing process to achieve the desired results. Remember, every kiln is different, so adjustments might be required to tailor the firing cycle to your needs.
Step 10: Cooling and Unloading Your Pottery
After the glaze firing is complete, allowing the kiln to cool down gradually to room temperature is essential. Rushing this step can cause thermal shock and damage or weaken your ceramic piece. Once the kiln has cooled completely, which can take up to several hours or even days, depending on your kiln size and the temperature reached, you can carefully unload your pottery.
Handle each piece carefully, as they can still be fragile until thoroughly cooled. Now, you can admire the vibrant colors and glossy finish the glaze firing has brought out in your pottery artwork.
Following these ten steps, you can create beautiful, vibrant underglaze pottery pieces that showcase your creativity and personal style.
5 Additional Tips and Tricks
- Use Resists: Use wax or latex resists alongside underglazes to create interesting designs. Resists can be painted on areas where you don’t want the underglaze to adhere, and once the underglaze is applied and dry, you simply peel away the resist to reveal the clay underneath.
- Underglaze Pencils: For detailed work, consider using underglaze pencils. They’re great for fine lines, intricate details, and hand-drawn illustrations on your pottery. Just be sure to apply them gently to avoid gouging the bisque ware.
- Layering Underglazes: Experiment with layering different colors of underglazes. This technique can produce unique shades and complex visual effects. To prevent unwanted color blends, always test how the underglazes interact on a test tile first.
- Sponge Application: For a softer appearance or to cover larger areas, apply underglaze with a sponge. This method can give a more even coat and helps create a watercolor effect or a graduated blend of colors.
- Prevent Drips and Runs: Watch out for runs and drips if you’re applying a glaze over the underglaze. Apply ice carefully and remove excess with a clean brush or sponge. Keep the frost off the bottom of your pottery to avoid sticking to the kiln shelf during the glaze firing.
With these extra tips, you can take your underglaze pottery to the next level and create unique, eye-catching pieces.
Conclusion
In conclusion, how to use coyote underglaze on pottery is a creative and versatile method that offers endless possibilities for artists. With its vibrant colors and easy application, it is a great way to enhance the beauty of any ceramic piece. As we have discussed, various techniques, such as layering, sgraffito, and resist methods, can achieve different effects with this underglaze. And remember the fun factor – experimenting with these techniques can lead to surprising and unique results!
Additionally, the durability of coyote underglazes makes them perfect for functional pottery pieces that will withstand daily use. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced potter, adding coyote underglaze to your artistic repertoire is worth considering.
So try it – who knows what kind of masterpiece you may create? From intricate patterns to bold and bright designs, the possibilities are endless when using coyote underglaze on pottery.