18.10.21 - Test Tile Results

 

I got my test tiles back today and I'm really happy with them, all of the surfaces and colours have unique qualities, particularly the stoneware pieces. Some of the patterns show through better in certain glazes and there is a stronger relief effect compared to ones that used a thicker glaze, I think it will be important to use ones where you can see the patterns underneath since I will be using text and want it to be readable. I think the tiles look good as multiple repeated forms which is promising since I will be making a number of ceramic buildings in a geometric style.

There were fewer colour options for the earthware tiles but I really like the 'Christmas tree green' glaze because it's super glossy and deep but you can still see the pattern underneath. The 'honey' glaze has a retro feel and reminds me of the old tiles you might find in some London Underground stations or stairways, I don't really like it though because it looks like decade's worth of cigarettes have been smoked onto them and given it that yellowy brown stain.

I compared my tiles to the pigeon colour palette that I made and found that these were the closest matches, and I think they work nicely together because the colours are all quite muted and subdued, while there is also a range of surfaces as some of them are glossy while others are matt and I think having that variation makes it more dynamic and sensually intriguing as a collective.

The crow colours are obviously much more limited but I tested how the darkest tiles would look together, and I like how they don't seem too different at first but up close there is a lot of variation from the deep racing green to 'iron flecked' red. But in terms of the buildings I want to make I don't think this would be ideal because the letters and patterns might get lost and from a distance you wouldn't be able to see any detail.

These are the closest colours to my magpie palette and I think they're really pretty especially the light blue, and although I find these birds really interesting to look at in relation to humans I don't think they are very present in the area that I am basing my work on so I want to take the pigeon colours forward instead.

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