Majolica “Paints”
The materials used to achieve colors in majolica are stains and/or oxides (and their combinations), mixed with frits or other fluxing agents, water, and possibly liquid starch or CMC gum. The latter two are for aiding in the easy flow of the material when brushing it on the surface of the glaze and for “fixing” the color in the raw state so it won’t smear so easily.
Some recommended materials and their ratios are:
|
Standard coloring oxides or commercial stains (Mason, Pemco, Degussa, Drakenfeld, etc) + frits (P-25, Ferro 3124) |
50% 50% |
|
Standard coloring oxides or commercial stains (Mason, Pemco, Degussa, Drakenfeld, etc) + Gerstley Boarate |
70% (stain) 30% |
Hints:
•Mix the stain and flux with enough water to make it much like
a thin ink.
• Using a small amount (1/2 teaspoon to 1/2 cup) of CMC or gum
Arabic in a liquid suspension will be very helpful in aiding the “flow”
of the brush, particularly if you are using a frit as a flux for the
stain.
•Be careful not to add too much Gerstley Borate to your color mixes;
it can cause the colors to “pale” and “break.”