QA

Quick Answer: What Is Wax Resist

Wax Resist is a waxy substance used to prevent slips, engobes, or glazes from adhering onto the clay body or a prior coating of slip, etc. In the past, wax resists where simply melted wax; today there are a number of wax emulsions, including many which are water-based.

What is wax resist technique?

Wax Resist is a water-based coating that acts to repel glaze and prevent color from adhering from the surface to which it is applied. As the kiln is fired the wax dissipates, leaving the surface beneath as it was prior to firing.

What is wax resist made of?

The ingredients are carnuba wax, micro-crystalline wax and some paraffin with one solvent that shouldn’t be in high enough quantity to cause a problem in the kiln.

What are two reasons for using wax resist?

The basic purpose of wax-resist is to repel underglazes and glazes. Keeping this in mind, you can use wax resists in multiple creative ways to make glazing more fun! You can, of course, apply wax to areas you don’t want the glaze to drip down to, like the bottom of your pottery.

What is wax resist in ceramics?

In ceramics, wax resist is often applied to bisque ware in order to “resist” the application of glazes, slips or underglazes. Wax resist can be applied to the bottom of a pot to prevent glazes and ceramic pieces from sticking to the kiln shelf during firings.

What does wax resist mean in art?

The basic concept is that you lay down some wax on your paper, paint over the wax, and the wax resists the watercolor leaving the white of the paper exposed. This technique can have some cool applications.

What can I use as wax resist?

Shellac can also be used as a resist. One interesting technique is to paint on a pattern, then use a wet sponge to sponge away the clay that isn’t covered by the shellac. And a great tip came from a teacher. It is very difficult in a school situation to keep the wax brushes separated from the glaze brushes.

Can you use candle wax for wax resist?

One could use any old candles or bees-wax, coloured waxes or clear in an electric fry pan. Simply heat the candle in the fry pan until it melts. Make sure your brushes are dry before placing them in the hot wax. Hot wax is a great resist however there are a few downsides.

Can you use beeswax as wax resist on pottery?

You can also use paraffin, candle wax, beeswax, or even a wax crayon (although it will add color). To apply the wax, apply dry heat to a small section of the pot.

How do you remove wax resist?

You accidentally get a spot of wax resist on your bisqued piece. No matter how small, this spot will resist the glaze during firing leaving you with an unsightly blemish. The only way to truly get rid of the wax is to vaporize it with temperature high enough to burn the wax off. Burn it off by bisque firing.

What is slip and score?

Score and Slip Score and slip refers to a method of joining two pieces of clay together. First, score the clay; this means that you make scratches in the surfaces that will be sticking together. Then you slip it; that is you wet the surface with some slip, using it like glue. Next, you press the two pieces together.

Can you put wax resist on top of glaze?

Using Wax Resist Over Glaze Let your wax dry for several hours (when applied over glaze) before layering a second glaze. Cover the wax jar so it doesn’t dry out. Clean your brushes right after use them. Clean glaze drips off of waxed areas well.

What is ceramic Glazeware?

Glazeware. Definition. The state of the ceramic art work after the glaze has been applied and the piece has been fired for a second time. Term.

Does wax resist work with oil pastels?

These wax resist textures are easy and fun to make. I used oil pastels but wax crayons would work too. My favourite texture is made with the stub of a wax candle and some paint. I use gouache, because that’s what I have, but any paint will work.

What is a resist in art?

Resist art is an art technique that uses several layers to expose or define a design in negative space. Using a clear medium, tape, or other item, the artist covers portions of a surface with a “resist” layer to shape invisible designs, patterns, and other things.

Does wax resist water?

Wax is a good resist material because it can a smooth waterproof layer on a surface. make Wax resistance works with inks, dyes, and acids that are made with water. Other materials that can resist water include oil, rubber cement, and plastics.

Can you use crayons on pottery?

Underglaze pencils, pens, and crayons can be great for ceramic artists who may have started with a background in painting or drawing. Underglazes are basically clay-based materials with ceramic stains and metallic oxides added and they come in a variety of forms – liquid, dry, chalks, pens and underglaze pencils.

Can you use wax resist on greenware?

Wax resist is brushed or dripped on, keeps glaze or slip off that area, and burns off in the firing. It can be used on greenware, bisque and unfired glaze.

What kind of wax is used for pottery?

The best wax resist is the green Amaco Wax Resist available in pints and gallon jugs. It’s a premium wax resist that doesn’t peel or fall off when using on top of other glazes for decorative effects. You can buy it by the gallon, which is more economical.

What temperature does wax burn?

Paraffin wax with additives burns at around 480 degrees Fahrenheit or 249 degrees Celsius.

Does burnishing clay make it waterproof?

Whilst burnishing does create a moisture repellent surface, especially if waxed, it is not watertight. As such, burnished pottery is largely decorative and can’t be used as functional ware.

What is cone6?

This refers to the medium temperature range (or middle fire) that most potter’s work in. Orton cone 6. About 2200F or 1200C. The term “cone 6” normally implies oxidation firing in a hobby kiln (most fire to this range).