GLAZE CHEMISTRY LAB @ VIOLA BEUSCHER - FRANKFURT

Developing your own glazes is a key step in making your ceramic pieces unique and this workshop is designed for those who have no or little experience in creating their own glazes and have always be intimidated by the process.

Creating a glaze means first knowing the raw materials, their properties, and how they interact with each other.

In this course you will learn about the main ingredients for making a glaze and how to manipulate the chemical formulas to achieve the desired texture and colors.

You will gain confidence in starting to test glazes on your own by tackling hands-on tests using the appropriate equipment and practices. 

At the end of the class you will be able to navigate with confidence through the resources such as glaze recipes books or online recipes database.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

• Know the materials and sources
• Understand chemistry and Formula
• Lab practice 

PROGRAM

SESSION 1 (3,5 h):

• Introduction to glaze chemistry
• Silica/Alumina
• The role of Fluxes
• Raw Materials Sources
• LAB 1

SESSION 2 (3,5h):

• From Recipe to UMF Formula
• Temperatures and Cones
• Stull Map
• LAB 2

SESSION 3 (3,5h):

• Colorants and Opacifiers
• Application
• Lab practice and results consistency 
• LAB 3

SESSION 4 (3,5h):

• Special Effects Glazes
• Phase Separation, Lava, Crawling
• Glazes Flaws and how to correct them

SESSION 5 (3h):

• Test Discussion
  
• How to use UMF Calculator
• How to use Glazy.org
• Q&A

IMPORTANT NOTES

Please note that the course will focus on developing functional glazes for mid-range temperature (Cone 4-7, with focus on Cone 6, ca 1240 C) fired in electric kilns.

This is NOT an online workshop.

FOR THE LABS:

The glazes recipes for the LABs will be provided by the Studio, it is not possible to bring your own recipe.

Test tiles in white clay will be provided but you can bring your own. Only tiles made with stoneware clay that can be fired up to 1240 C will be accepted. You can bring flat tiles (2x7 cm ca), or vertical tiles. Please also provide a picture of the clay bag you used.

During the LABs is mandatory to use a FFP2 mask, please bring your own. Aprons and gloves will be provided.

TERMS and CANCELATION POLICY

The workshop will be confirmed with a minimum of 5 participants. 

Cancelation and refund are possible within 4 weeks of notice from the beginning of the workshop.

Fees are per person and include all materials, firings and test tiles.

By registering to the workshop you accept the Terms and conditions.