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I Need To Clarify Cones To Fire At For Brightest Colors


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Hi,

When using underglazes and going for the brightest colors, what is the best bisque temp and what is the best glaze temp? I don't think I'm doing it right. 

 

I fire to cone 5 normally, but when using underglazes, I often fire to Cone 06. Since I bisque everything together at 05, I wonder if this is not a good way to do this. I have been hearing a lot about firing to cone 04, but I have trouble with some of my colors fading even at cone 06. 

 

I like really really bright colors like Michael Kifer's. He does low fire I know, but I'm looking for more specifics. Also, if I use a cone 6 clay cause that is what I have around, does that dull the colors? Thanks! 

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=michael+kifer+pottery&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiHy6upwdbTAhUE2oMKHZ02CO8Q_AUICygC&biw=1280&bih=619

 

Nancy

 

 

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First, for best results your clay and glaze should both mature at the same temperature. If you're using low fire glazes then you should use low fire clay. If you're using cone 5 glazes, then you should use cone 5 clay.

 

As for the colors coming out dull, it could be a variety of causes- the color of the clay, the firing, or the glaze. White clay will give you the brightest colors. You may need to try a different clear glaze. Make sure the firing is well vented.

 

If colors are fading at 06, then there's something wrong. Are you putting them on thick enough? Bisque temp shouldn't matter as long as you're in the 08-03 range.

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First, for best results your clay and glaze should both mature at the same temperature. If you're using low fire glazes then you should use low fire clay. If you're using cone 5 glazes, then you should use cone 5 clay.

 

As for the colors coming out dull, it could be a variety of causes- the color of the clay, the firing, or the glaze. White clay will give you the brightest colors. You may need to try a different clear glaze. Make sure the firing is well vented.

 

If colors are fading at 06, then there's something wrong. Are you putting them on thick enough? Bisque temp shouldn't matter as long as you're in the 08-03 range.

Thank you. May be that I have been using mid-fire clay a lot. I haven't really paid attention, just grabbed what I had a lot of. 

Nancy

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(First, for best results your clay and glaze should both mature at the same temperature. If you're using low fire glazes then you should use low fire clay. If you're using cone 5 glazes, then you should use cone 5 clay.)

 

YES yes yes

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the color of the clay body should not really matter in an indirect way. if you have colored clay then you should use more layers of UG. i have seen brilliant colors like that on black clay body too. i've used slip on red clay body and noticed i had to use more layers of  slip. 

 

wonder if michael kifer spray's his UG on

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