How to Apply Gloop Glaze

Gloop glaze is a unique and versatile medium in ceramics, offering a range of creative possibilities due to its thick and viscous nature. Whether you’re aiming for intricate designs, bold textures, or layered effects, there are various techniques you can use to apply gloop glaze. Here’s a guide to help you explore the different methods

Applying Over Unfired Underglaze
For better adhesion, apply gloop glaze over an unfired underglaze (image below). The underglaze can help the gloop stick better to the bisque-fired piece. You can also apply on top of regular melting glazes, but it is important to keep in mind that the gloop with melt into the regular glaze. Gloop will lose its perfect droplet shape as the two glazes melt together. 

Squeeze Bottle Application
Using a squeeze bottle is a popular method for applying dots of Gloop glaze (image above). Fill the bottle with the glaze and squeeze it onto your piece, allowing you to create detailed lines, patterns, or controlled drips. HotTip: If you are noticing your bottle is spraying out air bubbles rather than gloop make sure to keep your bottle full of glaze. The less air in the bottle the easier it is to apply gloop. The AirPen product is another great tool for dispensing gloop in this way. Your gloop should be a pudding-like consistency for this application. 

Drying to Clay Body Consistency
You can dry gloop glaze to a clay body consistency. Spread the glaze on a plaster board and let it dry partially until it reaches a malleable, clay-like state. Once it’s dry enough, you can cut, carve, or shape it, then apply the pieces to your ceramic work.

Nerikomi
The nerikomi technique involves layering different colors of gloop glaze to create intricate patterns. To achieve this, stack different colored layers of the glaze, then slice through them to reveal the pattern. Apply these slices to your pottery to create stunning, multicolored effects. This method is ideal for adding complex, marbled designs and vibrant patterns. Gloop should be a clay body consistency for this technique.

Viscous Drips
One of the best features of Gloop glaze is its ability to form long, viscous drips. For the image above, Gloop was dried to a clay body consistency, rolled into balls, and stuck to the rim (cone 7 results).

Thick Paste Application
Gloop glaze can also be applied as a thick paste, directly onto your bisque-fired ceramics. Apply thick (minimum 2-3mm) to create a gloop droplet crawling effect. (image below)

Tips for Best Results
• Experiment with Thickness: Gloop glaze can vary in thickness, so experiment with adding water or drying out to your desired consistency. For best results Gloop should be at least pudding texture. Frosting texture is great for smearing, building up Gloop, or applying as a thick paste. Clay body consistency is great for nerikomi and molding into shapes. 
• Layering: Experiment to your heart's content! That is the joy of using a product that is so new! We are making history! Be sure you use test tiles to trial glaze combinations before applying to your final design. 
• Firing Considerations: Be aware that gloop glaze may move or flow during firing, so plan your designs accordingly and consider placing drip-catching trays in the kiln and/or using Kiln Dust(60mesh silica sand).

Gloop glaze offers endless possibilities for creativity in ceramics. By experimenting with these techniques, you can discover new ways to express your artistic vision and create truly unique pieces. Whether you’re aiming for intricate details or bold, textured surfaces, gloop glaze is a versatile medium that can help you achieve your desired effect.