Glaze of Our Lives
Understanding Glazes
for the Beginner, with Matthew Katz
Matthew Katz is a ceramics materials nerd—there is no getting around it—who hopes to share his knowledge and experience with you. Katz has a BFA and MFA in ceramic art. He has worked in ceramic science for 20 years including having taught ceramic science for artists at the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University for 15 years. His understanding of how artists work and think combined with the knowledge of ceramic science enables Katz to teach artists to make the most of their materials.
Course Description
Glazes can be a confusing and an intimidating subject for both new ceramic students and tenured professionals. The world of ceramic glaze is full of new terms, technology, processes and heartbreak. Post-Firing Depression can be a real problem! As we try our hardest, the outcome so often does not match our vision. Our hopes and dreams can be dashed by a lackluster glaze or flaw that mars our beautiful work!
Do not despair. Glazes do not have to remain a mystery. This course offers students the opportunity to truly understand how a glaze works. Despite being a challenge to master, the nature of glazes can be simple to understand.
All experience levels are welcome. Whether you are new to glazes or have years of experience, Glaze of Our Lives is the next step in ensuring that what comes out of the kiln matches your vision. This is a self-guided course allowing students to take all the time needed to work through the course. Access does not expire allowing students to refer back to concepts as questions or ah-ha! moments arise in the studio.
This course is hosted by the Archie Bray Foundation (the Bray) only. Content is the property of the Ceramic Material Workshop (CMW) which they have made available at a discount to our community as a way to support public-facing education programs found caught in the online transition caused by Covid-19 concerns. Thank you Ceramic Material Workshop for your support!
Little to No Experience?
No problem, this course is designed to help
students learn the foundations of what glazes are and how they work
Get Your Questions Answered
Learn about materials, glazes, firings, flaws,
and more while debunking ceramic myths
Over 12 Hours of Content
Enjoy lectures and handouts whenever and however works for you. Videos are viewable only through a computer or mobile browser
Glaze of Our Lives: Understanding Glazes for the Beginner
- 1. Introduction
- 2. What is a Glaze?
- 3. Fired Up: understanding cones
- 4. Fired Up: firing temperatures
- 5. Glazed Over: types of glazes
- 6. Formulaic: glaze formulas
- 7. Formulaic: introduction to materials
- 8. Formulaic: alkali metal fluxes
- 9. Formulaic: alkaline earth fluxes
- 10. Formulaic: flint and clay
- 11. Formulaic: boron
- 12. Color Me Mine: iron, copper and reduction
- 13. Color Me Mine: other colorants
- 14. Color Me Mine: toxicity
- 15. Typecast: iron and ashes
- 16. Typecast: other special effects
- 17. Typecast: layering glazes
- 18. Flaws and All: crazing and shivering
- 19. Flaws and All: crawling, metal-marking and running
- 20. Flaws and All: pin-holing
- 21. Where to Begin
- 22. We Have Chemistry Together
- 23. Finale