Layering glazes is one of the most rewarding ways to add depth, texture, and visual complexity to your ceramic works. With just two or three glazes, you can create flowing transitions, crystal-like breaks, and dreamy surfaces that would be difficult to achieve with a single glaze alone. Before you reach for your brush, however, it’s helpful to understand which glazes work well together, how to apply them, and how to control the results for consistent success.
FIRE
HIGH
The floating glaze layering effects typically appear only at high firing temperatures (ranging from 1200 up to 1300 Celsius degrees or from cone 5 to 10). These results come from both the physical movement of the glaze in the heat and the chemical reactions that occur between glaze layers.
Because of this, it’s important to choose glazes within the same firing range and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. This ensures your glazes melt and interact as intended.
Control
The flow
Once you’ve selected compatible glazes, the next step is managing how they behave during firing. All glazes contain fluxes, which encourage melting. When you layer several glazes on top of one another, you increase the total amount of flux, which can cause additional movement. If you stack highly fluxed glazes, the surface may run excessively—and in the worst case, drip onto your kiln shelves.
Our sample was glazes with AMACO SM-24 Seafoam and Spectrum 1524 Soft Green glazes.
To avoid this when you’re getting started, we recommend the following combination:
First layer: Stable glaze (e.g. AMACO Celadon series)
Second layer: Dominant color glaze (e.g. AMACO Potter’s Choice, Mayco Stoneware, Spectrum 1100 or Speedball Mid-Fire series)
Third layer: High-flux effect glaze (e.g. AMACO Potter’s Choice Flux, Spectrum Floating Glazes or Speedball Fluxes)
By placing a stable glaze at the bottom, you provide a steady foundation that helps control the more fluid layers above. The top layer with high flux content contributes the depth and movement that create distinctive floating effects. If you apply glazes with a brush, remember that each layer requires at least 2-3 coats of glaze.
MASTER YOUR
BRUSHWORK
After selecting your glaze combination, applying it smoothly becomes essential. For the most even results, use a fan brush—it holds plenty of glaze and spreads it evenly across the surface. A quality brush can make a noticeable difference in how your layers melt and blend during firing.
Allow each coat to dry fully to a matte, dry-to-the-touch finish before applying the next. Brushing over partially wet glaze can lift or drag the previous layer, creating uneven thickness or bald spots. Taking a moment between coats helps ensure crisp, clean results.
FIND YOUR OWN
COMBINATION
Once you understand how your glazes behave, it’s time to explore the many possible combinations. The options are nearly endless, and fortunately, many manufacturers offer online galleries of proven pairings. These examples often include application notes and photos, which can help you predict how the layers will interact. For inspiration, visit:
AMACO
https://amaco.com/resources/layering
MAYCO
https://www.maycocolors.com/glaze-combinations/
SpeedBALL
https://www.speedballart.com/our-product-lines/speedball-ceramics/layering-library/
Read more
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