Finishing...

We still have class next week, but this Friday we present the pieces we have made to Andrea Salvatore. Fingers crossed, everyone.

Here are some before and after pictures of the coin projects that we did during our midterm. The glazing was done after spring break. First, my test coin... which was tested with too much glaze, or the wrong type of glaze. I still really like the coloration (that beautiful green over a transparent blue with hints of wisteria), so I think it will make a good coaster even if the design is practically invisible.

 This coin was the actual product of my midterm practical examination. I glazed it with a transparent violet glaze, which became a delightful, thick paste as it dried. I really like the effect it created, making the clay appear as leather with purple highlights. The picture itself reminds me a bit of my father, so I think this will become a gift as soon as I arrive home.

Other projects that I have been finishing up: the "giglio" test piece that I created on the first day of class. There is a slight relief of the streets of Florence, though that too was mostly lost in the glazing. I still enjoy the glaze pattern that turned out delightfully cracked, although the blue glaze somehow disappeared and would have covered those spots that appear bare along the edges.

Most of the time I spent in class yesterday was actually spent doing some painstaking painting. My poor eyes! Remember how I said I would like to paint a metallic glaze in between the black droplets that covered my amphora's original pattern? Well, that is what I did. Five coats of careful painting in tiny spaces. I hope it turns out well. Here are some photos Professor Raimondo took of the painting process.

Here are pictures of my tiny amphora after its spaces were completely painted with a matte gold glaze.

The rest of my time in class was dedicated to sanding. I hope Salvatore is happy with the result of all the hours I have spent casting, cleaning, sanding, fixing, sanding, glazing, scraping his tiny shapes.