Pottery Update

Worm Log didn't work out and these PQ pictures don't help. Either the Copper Adventurine glaze was on too thick (3 coats), or....well, there was something definitely wrong with the temperature of the kiln, actually. Instead of being a rich coppery orange with streaks of grainy yellow running through, it came out dark and burnt-looking. Still looks okay, but really lacking that granite-like depth of colour. The gold on the top of the object didn't show at all, but came out a dark silvery black, retaining it's metallic finish only very slightly. You can see the piece erected side-on from Aztec Vase (itself a victim of the too-dark & too-black syndrome) which is glazed with natural-looking oxides, which are very powdery, even when mixed well with water, and therefore difficult to apply. Metallic firing hasn't gone well lately - may have to switch back to oxides for a while.

These cups will have to be nearly done. They just need the rim, the handle and the base doing (sounds easy). Between them, they must have taken the best part of ten hours at least. The one on the left will be the most detailed of all cups so far, and take the total to 12. They draw you in and demand more and more detail to the point where you have to wipe your hands and say that's enough. Sod it. In fact, let's kiss goodnight vienna to this whole ceramic malarkey!