Hi Richard, would you please tell me about the racks in your studio? I see the racks behind you in this video. Do you have a video on planning and furnishing a studio?
Hi Linda, What a big topic! The racks in my studio were made by a California company, Alpine Kilns, which is no longer in business. I also have several modified Brent racks which I lengthened so I could use the same 12”x36” shelves as the Alpine carts take. I have most of my studio equipment on wheels, including the tables (which have locking casters). I also have some wire racks with locking casters. I have designed and worked in many studios, public and private and enjoy creating a space that is pleasant, comfortable and efficient to work in. Keep it clean, well lit and flexible to adapt to make it easy for you to create what you can imagine. My studio is a work in progress which is still evolving. I have a short video tour of my studio from last year and will eventually update it. Thank you for the request.
Hello Sir. How do I tell if a glaze should be thicker while other thinner? I tried checking the glaze after thorough stirring, it seemed to coat on my finger like condense milk. Is this too thick? Thank you :-)
Condensed milk consistency is too thick for most glazes. A potters trick is to dip a dry finger into the glaze and you should be able to see the details of your finger nail but not the color of your skin. Then you can dip a scrap piece of bisque then when it is dry, scratch it with a needle tool. The average thickness is about as thick as your finger nail. Some glazes are best thinner and others thicker, experience will tell after you fire it. I always apply a new glaze to a tile with three thicknesses and fire it before using. Good luck!
@@richardmccoll9297 Thank you sir :-) I shall practice that. Another question, can I decorate the inside of a bowl with under glaze over a coloured glazed surface,, will it be food safe? Also paint a glaze over another glaze? I am a beginner, pardon me for asking. Thank you very much. :-)
The under glazes usually go under a clear or semi transparent glaze. There are some which will melt enough to work on top of a glaze while it usually will be dry. When you apply one glaze over another they melt together and make a third, unpredictable glaze which may melt more and run and be a blend of color of the two glazes which will be different depending on the order you put the glazes. The best strategy is to test your ideas on your clay and your kiln to gain a clear understanding of what is possible. When I teach I share things that work for me and encourage students to ask questions and try things that they come up with. Just save your best work for glazes and techniques you have had success with before. Good luck!
@@richardmccoll9297 Sadly I was not taught to test glazes and under glazes on test tiles but to explore on our own. So most of my pottery mates did not have record book nor sample test tiles for references. We just build our forms and the studio will bisque fired them. Then we final the product and leave them to the studio to fire them to Earthen/Stone ware level. Many a time, my potteries would come out with crawlings, cracks. Some too thick and other too thin coat...And several still can be heard 'tingling' once a while. You have given me the precious lessons on testing the glazes and I shall keep a note with the tile samples for my own references. I hope to continue learning from you. :-) Thank you sincerely.
Hi Karyn, A little simple testing can really help you to more success in your work. There is always space in kilns for small tests which can be so valuable and you are so right to keep notes. I hope you will share them with your mates and if they start testing too it will amplify your knowledge and success. Take care and thanks, Richard
