Grit Blasting

A strong type of masking tape was cut into the size of a porcelain tile, then using a craft knife a design was cut into it. Once finished, the tape was applied to the tile and wrapped around the edges to strongly secure it in place. Ensuring our face masks were on (as so brilliantly demonstrated by Debra and I), we turned placed the tile into the grit blaster tank and secured the lid. Because there wasn’t a tight seal around the top of the machine, grit was able to get out and circulate into the surrounding area which presented a health hazard to us, therefore the face masks were a necessity. I placed my hands into the provided grit blaster gloves and held my tile from the outside of the box. Pulling the trigger, grit was powerfully thrust into the tile. Areas of the tile unprotected by the masking tape were worn away by the grit. Once the grit blasted was safely turned off at the plug, I was then able to retrieve my tile and remove the masking tape. This revealed the design I had cut into the tape. I didn’t particularly favour this technique as the tape came away very easily and according to the technician the grit blaster wasn’t even that powerful so stronger tape should have been used. I found the depth of the design was completely dependant on how long you left the grit blaster aimed at that particular spot for which created an unpredictable finish. This was difficult to counteract as it was almost impossible to see into the box as the process was occurring. Overall I much preferred the Shellac resistance solution as it was much easier to control.

 

Shellac Resistance

Using Shellac resistance solution, I painted several designs relating to my human form project with a paintbrush onto the greenware porcelain tiles I’d previously made. Where the shellac had been painted, water could not touch which meant that when I applied a wet sponge to the surface and rubbed away at it, the areas which weren’t protected by Shellac turned into porcelain slip and rubbed away leaving a design which protruded out of the tile leaving a textured surface. I liked that it didn’t take long for the Shellac to dry but found that small applied areas of it rubbed away with the sponge which defied it’s whole purpose of being a resistant solution. Overall an interesting method which I would enjoy using again.