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Week 4 Readings

3. Common glaze “problems” as learning signals

3.1. 2-minute Practice: Defect → risk → mitigation (quick thinking)

Figure 2 Glaz Crawling Defect

Close-up of a glazed ceramic surface showing crawling defects, where small bare patches and raised edges interrupt the glaze layer over a floral decoration beneath.

Look at the image and write 3 bullets:

  1. What I observe (visible clue):

  2. Why it matters (risk):

  3. One mitigation idea (simple):

Optional fourth bullet: One question you would ask (about process/material).

REVEAL (Example)

1. Observe: I observe irregular bare patches where the glaze has pulled away, leaving exposed clay body (a crawling pattern).

2. Risk: The surface can be rough and harder to clean, may trap dirt, and can be unsuitable for functional tableware depending on the intended use and finish requirements.

3. Mitigation: Improve glaze adhesion by ensuring the bisque surface is clean and dust-free, adjusting application thickness, and testing a small tile before glazing a full piece (plus record results).

4. Question: Was there dust/grease on the bisque, or was the glaze applied too thick / with high surface tension?