Glass

Can you use underglaze on fused glass?

Yes, you can…Underglaze pencils are a standard tool in working with ceramics, but they can also be used effectively with glass.  Designing and drawing with underglaze pencils is a great way to add a decorative touch to your glasswork. Students will learn how to create detailed designs in fused glass using underglaze pencils on an 8 x 10 palette of glass that can then be framed or displayed on an easel. “Learn the different methods for preparing glass to be both flat and rough “toothed”, two conditions needed for optimal application of the underglaze pencil to take hold. The class will include tips and considerations on creating dimension and depth with the use of color, contrast, shadow, details, scale, and blending. Demonstration of various techniques will be shown for marking the glass while maintaining pencil sharpness. The lesson concludes with firing instructions and a firing schedule. This technique may then be used on larger fused glass works once you become familiar with the process in our upcoming Independent Study classes or Open Studio. All materials and firing are included in your tuition.

How Does Modeling Glass Work?

By using a two-part Modeling Glass Mixture and a variety of bullseye glass powder colors you can turn them into a moldable, sculptural material similar to clay. The Powdered Binder is a food-grade, nontoxic cellulose-based material that reacts with water as a thickener. The Liquid Medium is also food-grade and nontoxic and combines with water to give body and smoothness to the Modeling Glass while preventing stickiness. Both the Binder and the Liquid Medium burn away during firing, leaving pure glass behind.  Students will learn how to mix various colors of powders, and how to blend and use a variety of tools to sculpt and mold their modeling glass into a one-of-a-kind sculpture that can be free-standing, displayed in a frame, or on an easel. Discussions on how certain colors and textures are achieved and mature using certain firing temperatures along with group discussion on the endless possibilities of this glass medium. This technique may then be used on larger fused glass works once you become familiar with the process in our upcoming Independent Study classes or Open Studio. All materials and firings are included in your tuition.

Let’s Get Funky!

Learn to make and use smaller objects in fused glass and combine and wrap them using copper and nichrome wire to create a one-of-a-kind hanging wall art piece. Bring in driftwood or metal or any other found objects and materials to embellish and mount your creations on.  Students will have use of a variety of glass, tools, and supplies to design their one-of-a-kind creations.