Airbrushing
Underglazes need to be thinned with water for airbrushing.  The airbrush itself also needs to be cleaned thoroughly between each different colour used and run for a short time after cleaning to make sure no moisture remains.  This will ensure that the viscosity of the colour will be accurate and consistent for applying to large areas.

Antiquing
Thin colour and apply to bisque surface.  Texture with a clean damp sponge then glaze with transparent or semi-transparent glaze.

Banding
Apply with brush or sponge.  Place greenware on rotating banding wheel.  Do not allow brush to touch greenware when the wheel is not rotating.

Brushing
Apply to clean, dust free greenware or bisque surface.  For full coverage use the largest brush feasible for the area to be covered.  A good quality ox hair, hake (goat) or sable brush will give the best effect.  Load brush as far as the ferrule.  Do not wipe brush on the top edge of jar but apply fully loaded to the greenware or bisqued surface.  Apply by letting the brush bend gently to halfway, but at the first feel of the brush dragging re-load and begin again.  Allow the first coat to dry thoroughly before applying the second or the third coats in different directions to prevent streaking.

Feather Combing
Easily applied to the inside surfaces of shallow dishes.  Pour colour into the dish to cover the surface.  Allow “shine” to go off and then trail parallel lines of contrasting colour across the surface.  Drag a fine pointed quill or stiff bristle across the lines producing a feathered effect. Variations can be achieved by a backward and forward direction of the quill.  Fire normally.

Majolica
Apply one coat of colour over unfired glaze to achieve a majolica effect.  Use our specialist flux extender if necessary.  It is important that the unfired glaze surface is very smooth.  To achieve this a heavier glaze application is recommended.  When glaze is thoroughly dry, smooth back with a dry sponge before beginning brush work.

Paper Resist
Cut a pattern from thin paper and apply it to the damp pot pressing down the edges with a moist sponge.  The pot may then be dipped in slip or painted with colours.  When the pot is almost dry, the paper is peeled off.  If the edges of the resisted areas are not sharp, the colour may have seeped under the paper, carefully scrape off any excess colour.  Fire normally.

Polishing
Apply colour on greenware.  When ware is almost dry buff up with soft tissues gently in a circular motion.  If polishing a large area spray moisture on underglaze or use a dampened brush to keep surface moist.

Preparation
Cesco Underglazes, Wunder Colours and Design Colours are totally pre-mixed and ready to use.  Shake well before use.

Raised Design Work
The colour needs to be thickened to a heavy cream consistency to do this type of work.  Pour colour onto a glazed tile or palette and allow water to evaporate and hence thicken colour.  Apply lines with a liner brush or use an Decorator Slip Trailer (Product Code JU7261) and build up lines to give your pattern variety. Or you could use our Wunder Waves….

Sgraffito
Cover the selected areas with colour.  Allow the pot to become almost dry.  Cut through to the surface of the pot with a suitably pointed tool.  It is also possible to scratch through the glazed surface of an unfired glazed pot.  Fire normally.

Slip Trailing
Add slip to colour to thicken.  Dampen greenware first to help slip adhere to ware.  Fill slip trailer with colour.  Hold the nozzle close to the surface  and squeeze gently.  Allow to dry and fire and then glaze normally.

Spattering and Stippling
Use a stipple brush.  Load the brush sparingly.  Keep the brush away from the surface, hold the brush in one hand and flick the bristles with the index finger of the other hand.  Use two or three colours.  Apply three coats.

Sponging
Pour required amount of colour onto a glazed tile or palette.  Using a slightly dampened sponge apply to greenware.  Allow each coat to dry thoroughly.  Apply three separate coats.

Wax Resist (Product Code CB220) / Latex (Product Code CB100)
Usually applied to green or bisque ware.  Paint designs with latex or wax resist.  Allow to dry.  Paint colour over the design.  Peel latex off when surface is dry.  Fire to burn out wax.  Glaze normally if desired.