To be honest I thought that I lost one of my tests - I wasn't very happy about the results. But... I got an idea today and decided to work a bit more on this test even though it was fired and glazed already. The black stain was applied to thickly and was smudging a lot. I washed off the excess of the stain and I think the result is closer to what I wanted. I will do some more 'after effects' and share the photos with you soon.

Finally, after 2 long weeks of waiting our kilns were opened and my tests have seen the day light for the first time:) On the test tiles glazes look nice and more or less up to my expectations... BUT... the very unusual results can be seen on a bigger piece that was decorated with black glaze and black body stain... My glazes turned out BLUE in places instead of transparent gray and white over black background!!! :D Well that's what you get when you trust commercial colours I guess. It turns out that cobalt oxide (used as one of ingredients of this particular body stains) decided to show up in places. Normally I like blue but this time it's out of place and the shade is too dark for this project. I'm slightly disappointed with my matt and glossy tests as well. They are nice glazes but again not pure enough for this batch of work. The matt glaze has shiny satin finish and pink flash when thick (the flash could be cosed by other glaze that was standing very close...

I was using my Easter break for catching up with my work and now there is nothing more I can do. The studios were opened but there was no technician which means no materials and no kilns firing... I have used up all my supplies and produced enough work to fill the kiln on my own.  I can't wait to glaze my tiles, I don't want to mention how eager I am to see my tests results from 2 weeks ago... I just want my own kiln :) I feel sad when I can't work in the studio... On the other hand there is an essay assignment and I haven't started yet so I better do some reading and writing and as a dessert I will do few pages in my sketchbook :) that will cheer me up! :D

I made just few adjustments today. Finding a way of getting the desired effect took me more time then I thought it will but in the end it's almost what I wanted. I think I will put some colour on tomorrow when the tiles dry a bit.

I decided to share my tips with the world - or at least with those who read this blog. Over my 2 years in studio I have learnt some useful tricks maybe you know them already :)  1.  Talc is super useful (I was using pure talc the one you add to glazes but I think you can try it with baby talc as well) :  slipcasting - brush the inside of your mould with a thin layer of talc and your casts will relise easily each time :) But   it can also develop a shiny glaze like surface when fired on porcelain ( I didn't try it on other clay bodies) so plan before you use it and make sure the bottom part of your work in talc free as it can stack to the kiln shelf; 'glazing'- if you want nice shiny finish on porcelain brush a layer of talc on green body - clay has to be a bit wet so talk can stick to it. It's just a matter of practice to find out the perfect stage of clay and amount of talc you need. 2. Single firing  For over a year I was...

This whole project takes far more time then I thought it will but I am very happy with it :) The hardest part was making models for my moulds - it was crucial to get them right so they will look good and cast well. I started with one piece wich was then reproduced 4 times to make my first mould. As a next step I have introduced some changes to the first model and again reproduced it few times, arranged and made another mould and so on. In the end I have made 4 different forms by altering one piece of plaster. After few weeks of working with plaster I have changed my approach to whole mould making - I started to enjoy it and I was surprised with the results I was getting. I think that working with plaster if far more precise then working in clay. I was casting my pieces for last 2 weeks and bave 3 of them bisqued. I am experimenting with the surface decoration now. Please feel free to comment and let me know what do you think about th...

It was supposed to take me a day maybe two... a week later I am still starting each day with the thought 'I'll have my mould ready today'. It turns out to be very time consuming and quite stressful procedure but I am happy to finally see the results- I don't have my moulds ready yet but the models are finished, at least some of them :) Hope you will enjoy them as much as I do :) They will be giant wall tiles (about 50x50 cm) I was planning to make lights but have just 4 weeks left before assessments and  using porcelain can be very tricky so I will probably have to change my plan and use stoneware instead. Will make lights next year I promise! I love them already :)