The Marble Effect

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A lot of times I would look at a piece of pottery or ceramic that I was working on and wish I could make it look like marble or think to myself it would sure look nice if it were marbleized.
I have attended many classes given by the ceramic or craft stores, one showed us how to make our piece look like it was made out of marble.
I wrote down the technique and here it is.
You will see the name Gare for the products used to make the glaze, but you can ask at any ceramic or craft store what to use to make the glaze.
The brand doesn’t make any difference they all pretty much work the same.
Just tell them that you need something to make a glaze look like marble.
If your ready, let’s go!!

Put down a thick layer of newspapers or a folded hand towel, forming a fairly flat cushion.
The thicker the better.

Cover that with a flat sheet of aluminum foil.

Mix 1 part Gare Magic Flow with 2 parts Gare Super White Glaze in a bowl or small cup.

Pour the mixture into a puddle at least the size of your project on the foil.

Dribble your choice of accent color glaze in coin size drops onto the puddle.
Swirl the color through the white glaze with a toothpick do not mix it.
It should appear streaky.

Hold the bisque over the puddle and rock it from one end to the other so that the whole area is coated.
Lift the bisque straight up out of the puddle and keep it horizontal for a few seconds so that it doesn't run.

Repeat this process with all of the surfaces until the whole object is covered.
Let it dry for about an hour.
You're now ready to fire.

Tips

You can rush the drying with a hair dryer set on low heat.
This can also be done with your basic paints using the same procedure but instead of firing when it is dry, spray it with a clear spray.
If you use paint and fire it, it will burn all your paint off.

Marbleizing With Glaze

Combining glazes by applying one over another is an old, tried and true technique, yet is one that you never get tired of.
Each piece completed with this method will be different and unique
The Vase picture shown uses a number of glazes to create a marbleized finish.
Try the technique as given below and use it with your choice of satin and art glaze to see what effects you can achieve.

Step 1

Select and carefully clean a suitable greenware vase.
Fire the greenware to cone 04.

Step 2

Thin some mirror black glaze to the consistency of milk and use it to pour glaze in the inside of the bisque vase.
Pour out the excess glaze and use a damp sponge to wipe off any glaze drips.

Step 3

Use a glaze brush to apply three coats of green gold art glaze to outside of the piece and two coats to the bottom.
Apply the glaze evenly and allow each coat to dry before applying the next one.

Step 4

Spoon some green antique glaze onto a glazed tile or a plate covered with aluminum foil.
Add 2 or 3 drops of glaze thickener and mix well.
Sponge the thickened glaze onto the vase in an up and down pattern or at an angle. Stop about 1” above the bottom of the piece to allow for any running of glazes during firing.

Step 5

Repeat the above step with Antique Rose, Steel Gray, and White Satin glazes, allowing the glazes to overlap, if desired.
Allow the piece to dry.

Step 6

Load a #8 round brush with glossy black glaze and with a wiggly motion of the brush, outline the various color areas. Allow the piece to dry, stilt, and fire it to appropiate cone number.
Common sense is genius dressed in work clothes.