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"The
Majolica technique traditionally starts with the
application of a tin oxide based glaze. This
produces a white opaque surface onto which an
unlimited range of colors may be applied in the
form of natural oxides.
This glaze is applied to either
bisque fired clay or pre-fired clay (such as
pre-fired tiles from a Builder's Supply store).
From this point on,
only one
additional firing is required!
In Majolica, a single tin based glaze forms the
surface on which an unlimited range of colors
may be applied. (In other techniques, different
colored glazes are required to achieve a varied
palette of colors.) With Majolica, however,
colors are
created by use of natural colored oxides applied
OVER the
tin based
glaze. When fired, these colored oxides fuse
with the
tin based
glaze, making a permanent surface."
Oxides are
brushed in varying degrees of intensity onto the
glazed
tile
surface, as if painting with watercolors upon a
sheet of paper. After application of the colored
oxides, the tile will be ready for the final
firing.
Remember, if using pre-fired
tiles, this is a "one fire" operation!
(Of course,
if you are making your own tiles from wet clay,
the tiles
must be bisque fired first.)
With the Majolica technique, firing is normally
done at cone O6 to 08
(temps of
1600 to 1800+ degrees F). |
