Using Oxide On An Impressed Design

[giltex]

I am making some mugs that will have in impressed design in an attached sprig.  I want to fill the design with oxide for color, wax it, then glaze the mug.  Plan on using RIO.  Seems like I have just read mix it with some gerstley, can't remember the proporation.  Do you color greenware or bisque?   I tried it this afternoon on a piece with some heavy texture that was very dry greenware and it seems to work OK.  A lightly damp cosmetic sponge cleaned the excess well without streaking.  My mixing was very scientific, a spoon of RIO and 1/2 spoon gerstley. 

 

Any thoughts,  Thanks

[earthfan]

Staining with oxide is easier on bisque. You can clean off the excess without damaging the texture. Use an eyedropper, rather than a brush, to flow a very dilute mixture of water and oxide into the grooves. On stoneware, straight iron oxide fuses to the clay at cone 8 without any flux.

[TJR]

I agree that it's easier to dponge off from bisgue. You could probably go

1 spoon Ger Bor

2 spoons RIO.

I would try black stain instead if you are going under a clear glaze.

TJR.

[Roberta12]

I still prefer Jill's Brown Patina

2 tablespoons red iron ox

1 tablespoon yellow ochre

1 tablespoon rutile

1 tsp cobalt carb

4 1/3 tablespoons gerstley

mix to skim milk consistency

sponge off excess.   Works on white or speckly brown clay.  Holds the color under clear/transparent glazes

cone 5/6.  I use it on bisqueware.  Sometimes put wax over it and then glaze the rest of the pot.  I use a small paintbrush, but I am going to try the eyedropper method next time!

It looks like a soft black after firing. 

 

Roberta

[giltex]

Thanks all for the ideas.  I guess I'm on the right track then, but with some new techniques.