Expert: Leisha Hiester - 10/29/2008

Question
QUESTION: In using Duncan Envision glazes, what makes the glaze run into an adjoining color during firing.  3 coats have been applied.  thank you

ANSWER: Bonnie,

Duncan Envision glazes are made to be mixed, blended & layered. Are you using the translucents? They're formulated to be a little more runny so that they can flow into the crevices to show off details.

If you don't want 2 colors of any glaze to run together, try using a wax over the glaze to hold it in place. I use a plain candle wax in my studio because it is cheaper. I purchased an old electric skillet at a thrift shop. I use that to heat the wax in at approximately 300 degrees. If it gets too hot it will start to smoke & you can just turn it down. I use an old small paint brush to apply the wax while it is hot to the areas I don't want glaze to run or move around.

It can also be fun to try some wax resist techniques with, but that's another whole subject. Sorry... the teacher in me gets going.

Hope this helps. Leisha

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for the wax idea however, would drawing a pencil line at the connecting edge of 2 colors also prevent it from running.  I used 3 coats of Envisions very black opaque glaze on this project.  Are 3 coats too many?

Answer
Bonnie,
Pencil will burn off in a firing. I've only used it to create designs prior to glazing. I've never heard of it preventing running of glazes & not sure how it would. Try using 2 coats on a test piece to see if it covers well enough. Usually, with darker colors such as black, blue, green you can get away with 2 good coats.

Leisha