Ink & Polymer Glazing
November 20, 2013
Inspirational Art
One of the wonderful things about polymer is that it is not ceramic; it’s not restricted by the limitations of mineral clays, the weight, the tricky kiln firing, and the uncertainty that is inherent in glazing. But the gloss and depth of those glazes can be so remarkable that, of course, we would try to imitate it in polymer!
I’ve seen quite a bit of faux ceramic glazing created with alcohol inks and liquid polymer clay. I don’t know of any other colorant that will work with LPC to give it that translucent and vibrant look. And I’ve yet to see anyone top the shimmer and depth of the work done by Debbie Crothers with her faux ceramic glazes. Look at these beads. A monochromatic, simple form, and yet just so intriguing and luscious.
It’s that texture peaking out from the clearer part of the glaze and the way the deep color is dripping over the form that makes these beads so, well, tasty! Oh … now I’m going to crave glazed berries or juicy, fruity, hard candies all day!
Debbie has been working with this effect for a few years and has it down perfectly, I think. Do hop on over to our Aussie sister’s Flickr page and take a gander at the other beads and pieces she uses this technique on. Just lovely work.
What the Ink Reveals
November 19, 2013
Inspirational Art
Alcohol inks are a fantastic surface treatment, as their transparency can work with the clay rather than just covering it. Use on darker clays to get deep, rich ink colors, or try it on marbled or otherwise mixed clay colors for more variation in the ink applied. Or simply go white so light reflecting off the clay surface can illuminate the ink.
Veronika Sturdy’s textured bangle shows off that translucent color on white clay effect, really making the blues and greens quite juicy.
I really like the way the clay is revealed from beneath the ink colors. The white is not only a great base for the ink but revealing it brings in just the right amount of contrast of no color against bright color.
See more of Veronika’s “colorful, quirky and playful full of fun” pieces (her words) on her website or Flickr pages.
One of the wonderful things about polymer is that it is not ceramic; it’s not restricted by the limitations of mineral clays, the weight, the tricky kiln firing, and the uncertainty that is inherent in glazing. But the gloss and depth of those glazes can be so remarkable that, of course, we would try to imitate it in polymer!
I’ve seen quite a bit of faux ceramic glazing created with alcohol inks and liquid polymer clay. I don’t know of any other colorant that will work with LPC to give it that translucent and vibrant look. And I’ve yet to see anyone top the shimmer and depth of the work done by Debbie Crothers with her faux ceramic glazes. Look at these beads. A monochromatic, simple form, and yet just so intriguing and luscious.
It’s that texture peaking out from the clearer part of the glaze and the way the deep color is dripping over the form that makes these beads so, well, tasty! Oh … now I’m going to crave glazed berries or juicy, fruity, hard candies all day!
Debbie has been working with this effect for a few years and has it down perfectly, I think. Do hop on over to our Aussie sister’s Flickr page and take a gander at the other beads and pieces she uses this technique on. Just lovely work.
Read MoreAlcohol inks are a fantastic surface treatment, as their transparency can work with the clay rather than just covering it. Use on darker clays to get deep, rich ink colors, or try it on marbled or otherwise mixed clay colors for more variation in the ink applied. Or simply go white so light reflecting off the clay surface can illuminate the ink.
Veronika Sturdy’s textured bangle shows off that translucent color on white clay effect, really making the blues and greens quite juicy.
I really like the way the clay is revealed from beneath the ink colors. The white is not only a great base for the ink but revealing it brings in just the right amount of contrast of no color against bright color.
See more of Veronika’s “colorful, quirky and playful full of fun” pieces (her words) on her website or Flickr pages.
Read More