Stains, Underglazes, and Pigments

I have also been testing Velvet underglazes, stains, and making my own Talavera paints out of pigment and frit. As well as square test tiles, I made little goats and birds to test out these glazes.

I read online that a 50 50 mix of pigment and frit is ideal for the traditional terracotta paints I am testing.

The end result is not as bright as I expected, so I may try more pigment in the next batch.
Although the colors came out smooth and shiny, they are not as vibrant as I hoped.

Oxidation Fired vs Reduction Fired

These are oxidation kiln fired, as yet I have not been able to reproduce the dark tones created in the reduction atmosphere of the gas kiln I had access to long ago.

This first image is of a Raku fish with copper oxide on both the tail and the fins, but the inside of the tail has clear glaze added to it which resulted in the beautiful blue-green color. I was pleasantly surprised since I know so little about ceramics and was not expecting to see the radical color change.

In order to achieve the color and texture of the reduction atmosphere, I apply the same oxide stains in the same quantity as I did before. I expect the results to be similar even though this is an oxidation firing. I paint 5 test fish using Cobalt carbonate, Nickle, Copper, Manganese, Rutile, and Red Iron either on their own or mixed in equal quantities.

The result is disappointing. Not only am I lacking the dark and earthy tones, the texture is smooth and soft which is the opposite of what I was aiming for.
My next set of test fish will have to have the textures painted on with a tiny brush.

Reduction Fired

These are test fish I made and painted with oxide stains... then fired it in a reduction atmosphere in a gas kiln. I love the colors and textures, earthy and rough. I am trying to reproduce the effect using an electric kiln and low fire clay, but so far I have not had much luck.

Electric kiln

I bought myself a small electric kiln so that I could make ceramic sculptures at home instead of taking classes at the community college. I loved those classes, but I moved too far away and driving up there has become too annoying a task. I regret not having access to a reduction kiln since I can't seem to get the lovely textures anymore, but I will not stop trying.

I have four different types of clay, Raku, White low fire, Red low fire, and mid fire Porcelain that vitrifies at cone 5. The Raku clay's texture was the main reason why I got that type of clay, I am actually too scared to try to Raku fire anything. The red clay is Terracotta and I absolutely had to try making those pretty Mexican-style designs I find all over the place... Talavera I believe it's called. The porcelain I bought because I am fascinated by the translucency of the thinner pieces in contrast to the creamy opaqueness of the thicker ones. The fish I make are test pieces, I am still at the entry level, curious and enthralled. 

Oil Painting 3

1st draft

Re-size and block out stronger

Modeling paste... I am doing an experiment on textured canvases

Re-draw the figure

Paint the background

Paint over drawing

Add highlights

Blend them in

Not quite finished...

Oil Painting 2

This oil painting of an angel was also inspired by a friend's life and the hardships that have shaped him into the person he has become. Unfortunately, unlike the other angel, this one is sad, hopeless, and a little lost. The life events my friend has faced have the upper hand at the moment, and he is unhappy... incomplete. I hope that he will find the strength to turn his mental state around and become the fun, loving, happy man he used to be. He deserves happiness.

Oil Painting 01

Oil painting is the easiest for me to work with since the paint takes days to dry. This is an angel I made because I was so inspired by a friend's life... no matter how much pain and loss he suffered, he still maintained a hopeful, positive, and happy attitude, and that to me is what makes life beautiful.

Deer Concepts

I drew these on the back of some cardboard pieces that came with a frame I bought. I love using odd surfaces, I once drew all over a bulldozer, with pencil of course.

Eye Sketch, Colored Pencils

I love seeing step by step... anything from building a house to the phases of the moon. If it can be recorded in a logical order, I want to see it.