Had to wake early today to be ready to leave by 8:30 to drive/ride to Clearwater to Seagulls Ceramic Shop. All together there were 24 ladies who drove cars to this greenware shop.
The ceramic mixture is poured into molds of various designs. Then, once the mold is set, the person who owns the molds pulls the molds from the formed ceramic mixture and the molds set to dry. That is one time when we ceramic painters come to buy the molded ceramics.
This is what greenware that has not been cleaned or fired looks like.
If you notice the greenware below, this is what an uncleaned mold looks like. It is up to the ceramic painter to clean the mold well enough that no lines are shown and it looks like one clean piece.
If you are interested in buying a piece that has been cleaned and fired the first time, you can find these pieces at many ceramic shops as well as hobby stores. Usually, the cost of cleaned bisque is at least double the cost of a greenware piece because most of the work has been completed.
The photo to the right is cleaned greenware, or what is called bisque. If you notice, the color is white compared to the grey of the uncleaned greenware. Here, if you are not going to use the piece of ceramic for food, you can simply paint a piece with acrylic paint, and the piece is complete. It does not have to be fired again. Looking closely at the picture to the left, you can see pieces that have been painted. So, if you do not want to go to all the trouble of cleaning and having the piece of greenware fired the first time, buy a piece of bisque and some acrylic paint, and have fun. Create your individual piece for you to display. But remember that food can not be used for pieces that have been painted with acrylics or that have been stained.
I am about to start painting dishes with eggplants, garlic, and other food items on the bowls. I heard that you can paint the patterns directly on greenware before the piece is fired for the first time, which is true, but after talking to the instructors about this method, I think I will stick to the painting after the greenware becomes bisque from the first firing. I was told that although this works well, it is very delicate work because the greenware without being fired is easily broken. I think I need stronger pieces, so I will clean the bowls, have them fired, then paint. Darn...
Until tomorrow...have a great day.
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