You’ve just pulled your freshly created piece from the kiln, and it’s ready for the next step. That’s where glazing comes in, and honestly, it’s one of the most exciting parts of creating pottery.
At Abu Dhabi Pottery, the UAE’s first-ever modern pottery studio, we offer glaze making workshops to intermediate and advanced pottery students. Here, they learn that glazing isn’t just about adding color. It’s about transforming your piece into something functional and beautiful. Our studio has been honored as one of the UAE’s official Urban Treasures by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, which speaks to the quality of workshops you’ll find at Abu Dhabi Pottery.
What Glaze Actually Does
Ceramic glaze is basically an impenetrable coating that is applied to your bisqueware. It seals the clay, making your piece waterproof and food-safe. Without glaze, most pottery would be too porous to hold liquids. Plus, it adds that gorgeous finish we all love.
Getting Your Pottery Ready with Glaze
Before you can apply glaze, your pottery needs to go through its first firing. This is called bisque firing, and it happens after you’ve created your form and let it dry completely. The bisque firing makes your piece hard enough to handle but porous enough to absorb the glaze.
You’ll want to make sure your bisque-fired piece is clean. Any dust or oils can prevent the glaze from sticking properly. A quick wipe with a damp sponge usually helps.
Learning in Glaze Making Workshops
The best way to understand glaze-making is through hands-on experience. That’s why glaze making workshops are so valuable for pottery students. These workshops are designed by our Master Potter, Homa Farley, who has been named one of the noted 69 Glasgow School of Art Alumni.
In these workshops, you’ll learn about different glaze types, how they react to heat, and which ones work best for your projects. Some glazes are glossy, others are matte. Some create dramatic color changes during firing, while others stay true to their wet appearance.
Applying Your Glaze
There are several ways to apply glaze, and you’ll probably try them all during glaze making workshops. You can dip your piece directly into a bucket of glaze, brush it on with a soft brush, or pour it over your work. Each method creates different effects and works better for different pieces.
The thickness matters too. Too thin, and you won’t get good coverage. Too thick, and the glaze might run off during firing or create an uneven surface. It’s something you’ll get a feel for with practice.
The Final Firing
Once your glaze is applied and dried, your piece goes back into the kiln for glaze firing. This firing reaches higher temperatures than bisque firing. The glaze melts, flows, and then hardens into that beautiful glass-like surface as the kiln cools down.
This is where award-winning Master Potter Homa Farley’s expertise really shines. Her pieces of pottery are incredible artworks, with art pieces on permanent exhibit in three museums. That level of mastery comes from understanding exactly how glazes behave in the kiln.
Why Abu Dhabi Pottery for Glaze Making Workshops?
Abu Dhabi Pottery offers something special for students who want to learn glazing properly. The Master Potter brings years of experience to the curriculum. In this studio, skilled pottery teachers guide students through the fundamentals.
The studio environment lets you experiment safely. You’ll have access to tested glazes and equipment, which means you can focus on learning rather than worrying about whether your materials will work.
Keep Practicing
Glazing takes time to master. Your first few pieces might not turn out exactly how you imagined, and that’s completely normal. Each firing teaches you something new about how glazes interact with your clay and your technique.
The students who enroll in glaze making workshops are the ones who stay curious and aren’t afraid to experiment. Try different application methods. Mix colors. Test your glazes on small tiles before committing to a large piece.
Creating pottery is a journey, and glazing is one of the most rewarding stops along the way. With proper instruction and plenty of practice, you’ll develop the confidence to create pottery that looks beautiful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between bisque firing and glaze firing?
Bisque firing is the first firing that hardens your clay after it’s been shaped and dried. Glaze firing is the second firing that melts the glaze onto your piece. The glaze firing usually reaches higher temperatures than bisque firing.
Can you apply glaze to greenware?
Greenware is clay that hasn’t been fired yet, and it’s not recommended to glaze it. The pottery piece needs to go through bisque firing first so it’s strong enough to handle and porous enough to absorb the glaze properly.
How long does glaze take to dry before firing?
Most glazes dry within a few hours, but it’s best to wait at least 24 hours before firing. This makes sure all the water has evaporated from the glaze, which prevents problems during the firing process.
Homa was born in Tehran, Iran where she spent her childhood and teenage years. She has lived in the UK, and currently resides between Spain and the United Arab Emirates.
