Rubbing Alcohol Technique

Create unique patterns in your ceramic glaze using rubbing alcohol. From water droplets on flat surfaces to interesting drips on vertical pieces, the rubbing alcohol technique is an easy way to create intricate patterns that appear like magic!

Materials We Used

Bisque: 700 Small Cone Vase, 140 Cereal Bowl

Duncan Colors: CN505-8 Neon Green,
CN302-8 Bright Caribbean, CN253-8 Dark Black,
PB26399 Pure Brilliance Clear Dipping Glaze
Tools: Damp Sponge, R2845-8 Aqualon Ultimate
Fan Brush, Rubbing Alcohol, R2250-4 Aqualon Round
Paint Brush

Instructions

1. Wipe off bisque with a damp sponge to remove any dust.

2. Apply a base coat of color using a fan brush for even coverage over a large area. We chose Neon Green and Bright Caribbean. It is important to choose a base coat color that is lighter than your top coat. Let dry.

3. While your base coat is drying, prepare your top coat by mixing the color of your choice with water to a thin wash consistency. We used a wash of Dark Black for our top coat.

4. Apply color wash in small sections because it is important that the top coat is still wet when you apply the rubbing alcohol.

5. Immediately add a drop of rubbing alcohol to the outside rim of the bisque using a round brush. The rubbing alcohol drop will repel the top layer of color and create a drip pattern.

6. Continue applying the wash and alcohol drips in sections till you are satisfied with the pattern created.

7. Let your artwork dry.

8. Apply a coat of Pure Brilliance clear dipping glaze and fire to cone 06 to finish your ceramic masterpiece.
 
The Rubbing Alcohol Technique is a great idea for summer camps and year-round workshops.  Start by introducing this technique as a kid's summer camp project.  Gather the campers around and watch their faces in amazement as the rubbing alcohol magically forms patterns in wet paint!  Visit http://www.bisqueimports.com/ for a printable worksheet on this technique and to order your bisque and brush supplies for this project.

Bisque Pendant Light Kits

Bisque Pendant Lights are an ideal way to add a personal touch to your home or studio decor while using the bisque and color that you work with every day. To create these Pendant Lights, we used a Flower Pot in an innovative way. Simply flipping it upside down turns your everyday Flower Pot into an attractive lamp shade for your pendant light.

MATERIALS WE USED:

Bisque: #615 Flower Pot

Duncan Colors: #CN511-8 Sunflower Yellow,
#CN512-8 Green Apple, #CN302-8 Bright Caribbean,
#CN122-8 Bright Nautical, #CN232-8 Bright Briarwood,
#CN253-8 Black

Tools: Pendant Light Kit, #ST332 1-1/8” Diamond Drill Bit, Drill, Sponge, Detail Brushes, Craft Yarn, Scissors, Tape
 
INSTRUCTIONS:
 
1. Drill a hole in the bottom of your Flower Pot using a 1-1/8” drill bit.
 
2. Clean off the Flower Pot with a damp sponge to remove dust from drilling.

3. Sponge base color(s) on your Flower Pot.

4. Wrap your pot with craft yarn. Tape yarn to the inside of your pot to get started. Wrap yarn tightly. Tape the end of your yarn in place on the inside of the your Flower Pot.

5. Sponge over the yarn with colors that are darker than your base color(s). If desired, use a fan brush to add splatters.

6. Unwrap or cut the yarn off to reveal your design. If desired, use detail brushes to add finishing touches.

7. Fire and hang using one of Bisque Imports easy-to-install Pendant Light Kits.