Glazing a Stoneware Sculpture
(Dragon Ocarina)

Page Two

Stain First, mix up your stain wash (for electric kiln firing I use a manganese/copper oxide mixture) or Barnard clay sip (for gas kiln firing). These both give a brown/black color. WEAR A DUST MASK while working with the powdered stain. Use 1 part stain (such as Mason) or metallic oxide(s) to 3 to 4 parts water. Stir until powder is completely suspended and wet. Add more water if needed. The mix should be watery, but cloudy. If firing in a gas kiln and using Barnard clay slip - the Barnard clay slip works best a little thicker, with the consistency of heavy cream. Make sure that the stain you use is the kind that can be fired in a kiln. Some stains are paint, and not intended to be fired. (Click on pictures for larger view)
Apply Stain Brush the stain over the textured surface, (I use brush 2 for this) making sure that it gets in all the nooks and crannies of the clay. The photo shows what the dragon ocarina looks like after this is done. Not a pretty sight, but don't worry, it doesn't stay this way for long.
Intaglio technique or "wipe-away" With a damp sponge (tool #1), wipe away excess stain, but leave it in the texture. Looks better already, doesn't it?	Unglazed, ceramic dragon ocarina with stain applied in the texture

Next: Glazing >> Tools 1 | Staining 2 | Glazing 3 | Glazing - continued 4 | Dryfoot and Stilts 5 | Finished 6 | Dragon Gallery 7 | Plaster Ocarina Mold | Make an Ocarina with a Plaster Mold | Clay Ocarina Mold | Make an Ocarina using a Clay Mold | Make an Ocarina Without a Mold | Glaze a Ceramic Ocarina