Today we talk about a Duncan underglaze product that is designed to use on bisque, called “Concepts”.  If you are familiar with Duncan products you may remember Cover Coats, underglazes to use on greenware. They are still available although we do not have them in our studio right now. Many of you have been using acrylics to paint decorative pieces. But what to do on utility pieces, such as cups and plates, that must be glazed? Concepts is your answer.

This product has a unique characteristic–one coat looks a little streaky, or a little like watercolors. This is how you add color to silkscreen designs. Black Concepts is used first to apply the design, then one coat of color. For solid coverage, such as on handles, use three coats. I painted this child’s place setting of plate, bowl, and cup using Cutesy Animals silkscreens. Then I added color to the animals with Concepts. And finally I added some grass under each animal, a few colorful flowers, and a sponged rim on each piece. They will be much more brilliant when glazed and fired. Oh, I almost forgot to say because you can’t see it in this view, but we added the child’s name on the back of the cup.

I also used Concepts to paint these clown cups (for my Birthday Party) and these Klingon mugs (for a Star Trek friend). They need to be glazed and fired and the Klingon mugs will get red glaze on the inside. Designs on both clowns and Klingons are things I found searching the internet, which I saved and sized to fit. They were transferred to the bisque using clay carbon.

AS you see, you can paint anything you like on plain pieces. The next workshop we are having using underglazes is a brush workshop called Magical Butterflies. Butterfly Day happens to fall on Father’s Day this year so the workshop will be on Thursday, June 16th instead of Sunday. Two sessions are being offered–1:00 to 4:00 and 6:30 to 9:30. The workshop is only $20 and you get to keep the brush! We hope that you will join us. Please remember to register so that we have enough seating and have time to pour enough plates.

Carousel Creations
Where having FUN is why we come!

Why not come join us for the Magical Butterflies Workshop?