How Do You Use Amaco Velvet Underglaze?

Amaco velvet underglazes are versatile ceramic coloring agents made by American Art Clay Co. in the United States since 1919. Used by professional ceramic artists, students, and hobbyists alike, these underglazes provide vivid, smooth color on bisqueware that remains soft and velvety even after firing.

With a creamy consistency similar to yogurt, Amaco velvet underglazes can be brushed or sponged directly onto bisque to create colorful designs. When fired, the colors develop richly while the bisque remains porous enough for applying a final clear glaze. Velvet underglazes are available in dozens of striking colors and special effects.[1]

Compared to regular underglazes, Amaco velvet underglazes offer exceptional density and opacity of color. Their versatility makes them ideal for hand-painting intricate designs, blending colors, and combining with other glazing techniques. This guide will walk through the complete process of creating artwork on bisqueware using Amaco velvet underglazes.

Supplies Needed

To use Amaco velvet underglaze, you will need the following supplies:

Velvet Underglazes – The Amaco velvet underglaze line has a smooth, velvety texture and comes in a wide range of colors, including primaries, earth tones, pastels, and neons. It can be used on both bisqueware and glazed surfaces. Some popular colors include Apricot, Avocado, Bright Blue, Bright Yellow, and Violet (Amaco Velvet Underglaze).

Brushes – You’ll need a variety of brushes for applying underglaze, from large soft brushes for broad coverage to small detail brushes for intricate patterns. Amaco’s SG3 glaze brush is a good versatile brush (Bailey Pottery – Amaco Underglazes).

Bisque or Glazed Ceramic Pieces – Velvet underglaze can be applied to either raw bisqueware or an already-glazed ceramic piece. Make sure the surface is free of dust before applying the underglaze (Sheffield Pottery – Amaco Velvet Underglaze).

Preparing the Bisque

Properly preparing the bisque is an important first step before applying velvet underglaze. Start by cleaning the bisque thoroughly to remove any dust or debris. Use a soft brush or compressed air to remove any loose particles from crevices or indented areas.

Next, inspect the bisque piece for any flaws or unevenness. Use a fine grit sandpaper or sanding sponge to smooth any rough areas on the surface, being careful not to scrub too hard. Focus on problem spots like seams or mold lines. Sand just enough to even out the bisque without changing the shape (Source).

Some artists recommend applying a thin coat of bisque sealant or primer before painting with underglaze. This helps the colors flow smoothly and prevents the underglaze from soaking into the clay body. Choose a sealant made for bisqueware and apply per the manufacturer’s instructions. Allow the sealant to fully dry before painting.

Loading the Brush

Before starting, make sure your brush is loaded correctly with underglaze. This will help you achieve smooth, even strokes. Here’s the proper technique for loading the brush with underglaze:

First, dip the tip of the brush in clean water and gently wipe off any excess on a paper towel. You want the brush to be damp but not overly soaked.

Next, dip the dampened brush into your desired color of underglaze. Tap the bristles lightly against the rim of the underglaze container to remove any excess.

The brush should be just barely moist with underglaze – not dripping, but with a thin coating of color. This will allow you to have greater control and avoid globs of underglaze on the piece.

If the brush seems like it’s getting dry as you work, you can redip it into the water and underglaze. Proper loading ensures smooth application.

Test Strokes

Before painting your final piece, it’s a good idea to do some test strokes on a bisque tile or scrap piece to get a feel for the Amaco velvet underglazes. This allows you to see how the colors look at different thicknesses and determine if you need to do multiple coats to get the desired intensity.

Load a small amount of underglaze on your brush and make some strokes on the bisqueware. Try light, medium, and heavy applications to see the range of color saturation. The velvet underglazes are fairly vibrant, so a medium stroke is often sufficient for solid coverage. If needed, additional coats can deepen the color after the first coat dries.

It’s also helpful to test combinations of colors next to each other to see how they interact. Blending two colors may create a totally different look than anticipated. The test strokes give you a chance to perfect your approach before moving onto your final ware.

Painting Techniques

There are several key painting techniques to master when working with Amaco velvet underglazes. Using the right technique for your desired effect is crucial.

For covering large areas, broad brush strokes work best. Load the brush fully and apply long, smooth strokes. Let each stroke slightly overlap the previous one to ensure full coverage. For blended backgrounds, sweep the broad brush across the bisque in overlapping X or M shaped strokes.

For finer details, use the tip of the brush or a smaller brush. Make short, precise strokes to outline objects or add finer details like veins in leaves. Steady your painting hand on a table or against the bisque piece for maximum control.

Blending adds dimension and realism. After the underglaze dries to a matte finish, brush on a light layer of water. Then rebrush the edges where two colors meet using curved strokes to intermix the colors.

For the finest details, use a small round tip brush. Make tiny strokes to add delicate lines, dots, or small accents. Let each coat dry fully before adding new details on top.

Mastering these Amaco velvet underglaze painting techniques allows creating anything from bold, graphic looks to soft, naturalistic designs. With practice, ceramic artists can produce professional results.

Special Effects

Velvet underglazes can be used to create a variety of special effects on bisqueware. Here are some of the most popular techniques:

Resists

Wax and latex resists can be used to block out areas before painting with velvet underglazes. The resist prevents the underglaze from adhering to the bisque in those areas. Once the underglaze is dry, remove the resist to reveal the original bisque color underneath (Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/Pottery/comments/ayqk3v/i_love_rubber_cement_resist/).

Masking

Masking tape or frisket can be used to mask off sections before painting. Simply apply the tape, paint the underglaze, let it dry, and then remove the tape to reveal clean bisque lines (Article).

Stencils

Reusable plastic stencils are a great way to quickly create patterns with underglazes. Apply the stencil to the bisque, paint over it with a foam brush or sponge, then carefully lift the stencil off (Example).

Texture Plates

Texture plates can create instant wood grain, basketweave, and other effects when used with velvet underglazes. Roll the glaze onto the texture plate, then press the bisque onto the plate to transfer the design.

Drying and Firing

Firing velvet underglaze correctly is crucial for getting the desired results. After painting the underglaze, it’s important to allow it to dry completely before moving to the kiln. The drying time will depend on factors like humidity and thickness of application, but typically takes at least 24 hours. Be patient and allow the underglaze adequate drying time.

Once fully dry, the velvet underglaze can be fired according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Amaco recommends firing to cone 06-04 for midrange clays and cone 6 for high fire clays. It’s best to do an initial test tile to determine the ideal firing schedule for your clay body and desired effects. Firing too low may result in a “muddy” appearance while firing too high can burn out the vibrant colors. With proper drying and firing, velvet underglaze yields stunning results.

Tips and Tricks

Here are some helpful tips and tricks for working with Amaco velvet underglaze:

Store brushes properly – After using velvet underglaze, it’s important to thoroughly clean your brushes by rinsing them in water until the water runs clear. Allow brushes to air dry with the bristles facing up to maintain their shape. Store clean, dry brushes with the bristles up or lying flat in a sealed container.

Mix colors – Velvet underglazes can be mixed to create custom colors. Use a palette or plate for mixing to avoid contaminating your main underglaze pots. Mix small amounts and test colors before applying to your project. Mixing too vigorously can incorporate air bubbles into the underglaze.

Clean up spills properly – Wipe up wet underglaze spills immediately with a damp cloth or paper towel. Dried underglaze is very difficult to remove. Letting underglaze dry on your work surface can lead to chipping and contamination of future projects. Use soap and water to thoroughly clean your workspace after using velvet underglaze.

Final Clear Glaze

After firing your Amaco velvet underglaze, the last step is to apply a clear glaze on top to add a glossy finish and seal in the color. According to Reddit user u/noticingceramics, “I’ve tried under glazing my bisque wear with 3 coats of Amaco velvet then using (Laguna) clear glaze on top to make it glossy” (source). When applying a clear glaze over underglaze, it’s important to use a high-quality glaze formulated for this purpose, like Mayco’s Clear Brilliant or Amaco’s HF-9 Zinc Free Clear. Apply 2-3 thin, even coats according to the manufacturer’s instructions, allowing each coat to dry in between. Too little glaze may expose the porous underglaze and too much may cause glaze crawling or pitting. Firing schedule is also key – fire at the temperature recommended for the clear glaze so it properly melts and seals. With the right products and techniques, a clear glaze creates a smooth glossy finish over velvet underglaze.