The Great Glaze Test of '24
I've been slowly accumulating Amaco and Mayco stoneware glazes over the past decade or two, and I finally resolved to making some test tiles so as to see how they interact with each other. This is something I highly recommend each potter does for themselves, as conditions are never going to be the same for every person, and even small differences can mean very different outcomes.
However, this will hopefully give you some ideas of what you can try yourself.
The following should be noted:
However, this will hopefully give you some ideas of what you can try yourself.
The following should be noted:
- These have been tested on PW131 Superwhite stoneware clay,
- They were bisqued to 1,000C in an electric kiln and then gloss fired to 1,250C with no soak,
- Glazes are a single layer each (I know many would have benefited from a second or even third layer, but I was wary of unexpected overflow),
- The tiles are 1cm square each and have been fired in sets of 22 and 30 - there are instances of neighbouring glazes running over into each other, but I've tried to minimise this as much as possible in the photos,
- I'd recommend comparing both combinations of the main glaze above or below the secondary glaze - it makes a surprisingly large difference in some cases,
- The last four glazes (Snowfall, Black Cobblestone, Dark Magma, and Light Magma) are textured glazes,
- If there was ever to be a deathmatch between cobalt and iron, cobalt would probably win - but it'd be a damn good fight,
- I have become convinced that Dark Magma is one of the fundamental and immutable forces of nature, and nothing known to man may affect it,
- The person who solves the riddle of Stoned Denim may go on to answer the Meaning of Life.
