There are three types of bodies for glazing: greenware, bisqueware, and porcelain. The glazing methods include dipping, pouring (or cascading), spraying, brushing, and combinations of dipping, spraying, and brushing.
a. Dipping Method: The body is immersed in the glaze and then lifted out after a short time. The absorbency of the body ensures an even glaze coating. When using this method, the glaze slurry’s concentration and dipping duration should be adjusted based on the desired thickness of the colored glaze layer.
b. Pouring Method: The body is placed on a “body stand” or a rotating potter’s wheel, and the glaze slurry is poured onto it either manually or mechanically to form a glaze layer.
c. Spraying Method: The glaze slurry is atomized into a mist using airflow and then adheres to the body’s surface. This method is suitable for large pieces, thin-walled bodies, or irregularly shaped greenware. Multiple spray applications can be used, making it ideal for pieces requiring exceptionally thick glaze layers or multiple colored glazes.
d. Brushing Method: A brush is used to apply the glaze slurry evenly onto the body. This method is well-suited for achieving composite effects with multiple colored glazes, such as the “Three Rams Bringing Bliss” (Sanyang Kaitai) glaze.
e. Painting Method: Similar to brushing, this technique emphasizes free, natural strokes with even thickness to achieve the desired effect, as seen in Song Jun floral glazes.
Some glazing processes combine multiple methods. For example, various floral glazes with copper-red or iron-black color systems, requiring a glaze layer thicker than 2 mm, may integrate dipping, spraying, and painting techniques.
