Often used by Forgers of Old Master Paintings.
The technique of craquelure gives new ceramic tile a deliberate and fine pattern of dense cracking.
It begins with a plain, once fired, bisque tile.
The design is then outlined with Delft blue pigments and colored powder pigments are added.
At this point I can decide if I want to add a glaze (pink in the picture) which will crackle the tile during the firing process. Or I can add a glaze which will fuse the color pigments with the glaze to produce the typical hand painted ceramic appearance.
I have applied three coats of special crackle glaze and fired the tiles to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. This is how they look when they come out of the kiln. You can barely see the crazing.
Tiles are now treated with a mixture of sepia brown and black India Ink. The tiles are wiped clean.
The craquelure is permanent. The process of crackling continues for a few more days giving off little cracking sounds and reminding me that they are ready to be sent off to their new home.
I'm already working on a new project. A large mural for a kitchen backsplash which features a design from a roll of William Morris wallpaper called "Fruit".
Wishing you a joyful week,
Gina
