Studio Mastery & Chemistry · Making and Interpreting Test Tiles

Hard

Run a line blend on test tiles

A line blend is a systematic way to explore what happens between two glazes. It's the foundation of glaze development.

The method

Choose two glazes (A and B) and create five mixtures:

  1. 100% A / 0% B
  2. 75% A / 25% B
  3. 50% A / 50% B
  4. 25% A / 75% B
  5. 0% A / 100% B

Steps

  1. Mix each ratio as a small batch (50 g total dry weight is plenty for a tile)
  2. Apply each to a test tile (same dip time for consistency)
  3. Label clearly!
  4. Fire together on the same shelf (same heat work for all)

Interpretation

Arrange the fired tiles in order. You'll see a gradient from pure A to pure B. Often the most interesting results are in the middle ratios: combinations that neither glaze produces alone.

The payoff

You just created five glaze variations from two starting recipes. This is how studios build unique palettes.