Ceramics

Glazing Ceramics with an Airbrush

Airbrush art is like no other when it comes to subtle color changes, soft transitions between colors, variances of colors within a small space, great stencil designing and fast, even application for background tones.  These facts are true not only of airbrush art done on paper and canvas but also that done on pottery and ceramics.  The soft blends of colors and the evenness with which they can be applied makes the airbrush one of the most sought after ceramic decorating tools around. 

Safety should be paramount when you do airbrush work with pottery glazes.  Even those that contain no lead very often contain other heavy metal components and minerals that are unhealthy to ingest.  Always wear a respirator, goggles and cover exposed skin to prevent absorption of dangerous materials.  Never smoke in a pottery studio.  The heat generated with inhalation combined with the suspended dust and chemicals in the studio have the potential to be lethal.  That said, let’s talk turkey about the “how-to’s” of using an airbrush to decorate ceramics and pottery.

For glaze application, it is smart to investigate an airbrush with a reservoir that can accommodate a large quantity of thick fluid.  Large quantity containers mean you don’t have to stop application as often to refill.  Also, it might be wise to invest in an air compressor that is more industrial in capacity than the air supply that is most often envisioned for airbrush art creation.  The amount of sustainable pressure, length of time in use and the overall rigors of glaze application may shorten the life of smaller compressors. 

With your basics in line, consider the types of glazes you will be applying.  Layering of colors and textures is so easy with an airbrush that you can quickly create signature combinations.  Over-spraying colors of glaze is very much like overlaying colors in any airbrush application.  You mix and mingle tiny droplets of color and come up with a soft, subtle color change with ease.

Use of stencils and cutout patterns is another way airbrush can speed your glazing process as well as offer spectacular looks.  Theme pieces can be developed where specific designs are repeated and thereby link the group together.  When glazing dinnerware and service pieces, it is great to use a simple tie between the series.  It encourages repeat sales of items to add to a collection and makes your sales job easier while streamlining your presentation process.  Create original stencils and designs in moisture-proof Mylar/acetate or similar material and they can be used over and over.  Just wipe them off between applications and they are ready for the next piece.

Accents added with airbrush are another way to quicken the glazing process at the same time you are adding flair to your work.  You can add over-glazing with stains to create a very special look to any decorator or art item.  Two ways to use airbrush stains could include the following methods:  First, use diluted solutions of stains applied in a quickly broadcast pattern to soften the overall color of a glaze.  This method can be used to either brighten or tone down a glaze color.  Second, use resist such as wax or commercial rubbery material in brushed designs over a base glaze.  Then, overspray to create a cloud-like tone.  This will yield a background tone where the resist was applied and a mingled over-sprayed area that complements the overall creation.

Use of thin washes is a fast way to stain any bisque-fired clay body.  To create a natural tone and look, it is easy to use iron oxide suspended in water as a dark brown wash.  Airbrush the premixed stain and then wipe off with a rag.  The result will leave recessed areas and patterns stained in a dark tone with the wiped off area a lighter tone.  This can also be done with cobalt and copper oxides.  But remember, these are very dangerous materials when handled improperly.

Use of premixed commercial glazes makes airbrushing a very fast method for glazing ceramics and pottery.  A base glaze upon which other colors and designs are placed can greatly speed up production or give you the opportunity to experiment with new topical brush, stamp or stencil decorations.  As a final coat of gloss or matt finish, airbrushed glazes are among the most uniform.  This is an added bonus, since unevenly applied final glazes can affect underlying designs. 

An all-time favorite use of airbrush on pottery is as an under glaze color applicator.  A variety of stains can be sprayed in mingled patterns to create gently shifting colors.  There is no other way to achieve this look, just as with paper and canvas art airbrushing. 

The addition of an airbrush set-up is one that can greatly enhance the enjoyment of ceramic decoration.  Glazing is the “icing” on the ceramic “cake.”  Airbrush application is itself exciting and adds a new element to the glazing process.  Consider giving it a try and see what you think; the looks are worth the effort and experimentation.  Signature looks and ever changing colorations are so easy you’ll wonder why you hesitated.  So go with a new direction and change your glazing method to include some type of airbrush augmentation. 

Copyright ARTtalk Vol. 17 No. 5 — March 2007