Techniques
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There are many ways to make and decorate tile. Historically, many techniques have been created and improved
upon as they have passed through different cultures and times. Below are some of the different techniques I have
used and taught in my tile making classes.
upon as they have passed through different cultures and times. Below are some of the different techniques I have
used and taught in my tile making classes.
High Relief Carved Designs -
The raised areas of the carved
design have clay added
resulting in a tile with a design
that is higher than the tile's
surface.
The raised areas of the carved
design have clay added
resulting in a tile with a design
that is higher than the tile's
surface.
Low Relief Carved Designs -
A carved tile with the raised
areas no higher than the
original tile's surface.
A carved tile with the raised
areas no higher than the
original tile's surface.
Flat Relief - Background
of a bisqued (fired once)
tile is filled with glaze and
the tile surface wiped off
and the tile fired again.
of a bisqued (fired once)
tile is filled with glaze and
the tile surface wiped off
and the tile fired again.
Tube-Lining - A mixture of
clay, flux, and quartz in
liquid form is squeezed onto
a bisqued tile to make
raised areas. Glaze is then
squeezed onto the tile
between the raised areas.
clay, flux, and quartz in
liquid form is squeezed onto
a bisqued tile to make
raised areas. Glaze is then
squeezed onto the tile
between the raised areas.
Cuerda Seca - The design is
outlined in colored wax onto a
bisqued tile. Areas between
waxed lines are filled with glaze.
During firing the wax
disappears, leaving a colored
(usually black) outline between
glazed colors.
outlined in colored wax onto a
bisqued tile. Areas between
waxed lines are filled with glaze.
During firing the wax
disappears, leaving a colored
(usually black) outline between
glazed colors.
Raku - Usually Raku tiles are
intended to be art pieces.
They are not as durable as
high-fired tiles.
intended to be art pieces.
They are not as durable as
high-fired tiles.
Inlay (encaustic) Designs
Colored clays or slips
(lighter color in this tile) are
embedded into the carved
areas of the tile while it is at
the leather hard stage.
When the tile become drier,
the excess slip is scraped
off, uncovering the design.
Colored clays or slips
(lighter color in this tile) are
embedded into the carved
areas of the tile while it is at
the leather hard stage.
When the tile become drier,
the excess slip is scraped
off, uncovering the design.
Stamped - An object, often a
carved plaster or linoleum
design, is hand or machine
pressed into a damp clay tile.
carved plaster or linoleum
design, is hand or machine
pressed into a damp clay tile.
Impressed - Natural and
man-made objects are
arranged on the surface of a
damp tile and impressed by
hand or roller into the surface
(yes, its a dead mouse...)
man-made objects are
arranged on the surface of a
damp tile and impressed by
hand or roller into the surface
(yes, its a dead mouse...)
Shellac Resist - Shellac is
painted onto a dry,
unfired tile. When the shellac
dries, it acts as a waterproof
resist. The unpainted clay is
washed away with a damp
sponge, leaving a raised
design.
painted onto a dry,
unfired tile. When the shellac
dries, it acts as a waterproof
resist. The unpainted clay is
washed away with a damp
sponge, leaving a raised
design.
