"Glashelder over glazuur" is a glaze book, in Dutch, containing all the information you need to understand glazes, create tests, mix and use glazes on a larger scale for beautiful results. This 288 page hardcover book is beautifully illustrated with hundreds of glaze tests, diagrams, and photos.
The book includes the following main sections:
- The Basics: What is a glaze, the basic components of every glaze, a crash course in chemistry for ceramicists, and the most commonly used materials and coloring oxides. This chapter features 400 glaze samples, each using a coloring oxide in ten different base glazes. The recipes for these base glazes, which I developed, are also included in the book.
- Safety: Everything about working safely, protecting yourself, environmental concerns, sustainability, and food safety.
- Setting Up a Glaze Studio: What you need to get started.
- Testing Methods: Various ways to test glazes are thoroughly explained. At the back of the book, the testing methods with their explanations are printed on removable, washable paper that you can take to the studio.
- Achieving Consistently Good Results: Everything about water in glazes, application methods such as dipping and brushing, specific gravity, glaze viscosity, deflocculation and flocculation, and glaze additives. After reading this chapter, you'll be able to make glazes that are easy to work with and provide reliable, reproducible results.
- Kilns, Temperature, and Heat Work: Learn about your kiln and understand heat work. Discover what melt cones are and how to use them correctly.
- Going Deeper: A chapter that clearly explains the Seger Formula and the Stull Map, differences between glossy and matte glazes, adjusting recipe temperatures, substituting materials, and developing your own glazes.
- Identifying and Solving Problems: Common glaze and clay issues are explained clearly with solutions provided.
"Glashelder over glazuur" is a comprehensive, visually appealing book that will be useful for both beginner and advanced ceramicists.
Glaze book "Glashelder over glazuur"
I’m Sofie, the author of Glashelder over glazuur. I have been working as a ceramicist for six years, but before that, I spent 14 years as a scientist in an academic setting. My education, work experience, and natural curiosity led me to develop a passion for glaze testing from the very beginning of my ceramics journey.
I enjoy explaining complex topics clearly and concisely so that even a complete beginner can understand. I have conducted glaze workshops for over 500 students, both nationally and internationally. This experience has given me a clear understanding of what other ceramicists need. A well-structured book with extensive knowledge and background information, complemented by numerous photos, diagrams, and practical tips, would greatly assist them in their glaze adventures.
Enjoy the book, and have fun testing and experimenting!