Part 1 - Cuerda Seca Technique - Recipe talk

In this video I show you the recipe I use for Cuerda Seca. There are several ways to create the resist, either by using oil or liquid wax. Just make sure you test it first on a test tile.

[@Worrier629]

Thank you so much for sharing multiple recipes of the resist. I’m a new tile maker and would love to try cuerda seca.

[@anasclayhouse]

I will be doing a tile Cuerda seca vídeo soon. Hopefully next week.🙏🏻

[@roblipon5377]

Hi. Just commenting on the first section with the linseed oil. You have the 60 on the oxide and it should be on the oil. I tried it the way you have written but it’s still very dry and chunky. I mixed another with 60 oil, 25 iron oxide, and 15 ferro frit 3124 and it came out perfect. 👍

[@anasclayhouse]

Thank you Rob! I got this recipe online but started mixing it by eye bowling and trial and error. I agree that 60 is a bit much. What I do is start with the paste and slowly add a few more drops of oil. I have a later video that I started using sesame oil and it works really well! Have you tested your mixture? If you use too much oil it can create a white area around your line work called halo. Thanks again

[@anasclayhouse]

Here’s the latest video where I show how I mix it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIK2gZyrgrFpjqssi=sACBF-zpzHv7SAsp

[@heididerksen8227]

Wondering you percentages you use is that the same as grams. Like 60 grams of oxide 25 g oil 15 grams frit. Just wondering how you figured out percentage

[@anasclayhouse]

Hi Heidi. I found the recipes online by doing a lot of searches. They all vary in the amount, so I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not an exact science like with glazes. It should work in grams if that’s what you want to use. I go by eye and feel now. The consistency of the mixture is important. If you have too much oil, the oil will bleed beyond the line work which will cause what they call it a hallo. The glaze won’t come in touch with the line creating a white space in between. If it’s too thick, it’s hard to paint. Also you really need to mix in the powder and oil well, using a metal palette knife. Bottom line is, the amount listed is a starting point. If you think it’s thick, add a few drops of oil.👍🏻

[@user-om8mf4on5j]

Hi Ana. Thank you so much for this. I am learning from Australia to make a mural in my yard. I have had some 'fails'. Mainly because I used my resist formula using a thin squeegee bottle too (for fine lines) - it kept getting suck in the bottle and just looked wobbly and awful in kiln. Also bled in parts maybe I didn't let dry enough. Also interacted with some glazes weirdly on my pre-bisqued tile (not even sure what kind of clay tile it is...). All in all just looked so wobbly and awful compared to how perfect and almost 'printed on' some tiles look... Not sure if they use a screenprinted wax resist design Would love any thoughts on: - What greenware clay do you use - What is the ratio of the wax resist. I tried linseed oil, frit, black oxide.

[@anasclayhouse]

I don’t recommend using the bottle for the line work, I think it would be too thick. The idea of Cuerda seca is to have the line work be flat on the surface and the glazed area very pronounced. That’s how you achieve the texture. I’ve always use a liner brush for the line work. As for the ratio, it’s what it is on the recipe but really I eyeball it. I make a new batch every time I paint. Start adding just a few drops of the oil to the iron oxide powder. Mix it with a pallet knife until becomes a thick paste then add a few more drops until it’s a thick creamy consistency. Then just add a tiny dab of Frit on the end of the knife. Mix in really well for 2-5 minutes. I hope this helps.💞

[@anasclayhouse]

I believe the tiles you’ve seen with really thin even lines are done with silkscreen. That’s a process I haven’t done.

[@maryannrogers8550]

I have the linseed oil and the 3124 frit, but I don't have oxides. I have oxide washes, but they are liquid form. Do you think that mason stains (powdered form) would work?

[@anasclayhouse]

You can try it, it might work if you use black, but I’m just not sure if the ratio would be the same. I tried once mixing black underglaze but it didn’t work very well. Good luck and let me know if it works.👍🏻

[@xolveria]

@@anasclayhouse masons stain are stable and black is dark. so you might need less. Im testing with black stain and linseed and frit. 1 oz would be 7 grams of oil 17 of colorant ( way to much for stain) and 4 grams of frit.( again way to much ) since she only uses a little. and it seems by the video like there an 1 oz of oil in there.

[@MammaRoub]

Hello, thank you for this video. How is the cuerda seca technique called in English? I really enjoyed your video. Thank you for sharing!

[@anasclayhouse]

Thank you. The name in English is dry rope. I know it doesn’t make much sense. If you search for this technique either Spanish or English, you should see lots of examples. I believe it started in Spain. The line work resists the glaze thus the name dry rope.

[@MammaRoub]

@@anasclayhouse ah, it makes total sense. Thank you so much for your quick response! Love your work!

[@latinadesigngirl2427]

The technique in English is called dry cord

[@Atliermia]

Super cool... very happy .your instructions are excellent, and the material recommendation .all thumup 😊😊

[@willemh3319]

what glaze you use

[@anasclayhouse]

I use Mayco stroke and coat because they are very stable. You can use any other glazes as long as they don’t move. I know that Laguna has a series called Versa glazes that are very stable. Mostly celadons are stable as well and they would look good on white clay. Good luck!👍🏻

[@willemh3319]

where to get frit

[@anasclayhouse]

I get mine from my local pottery supplier. You can also find it online at Clayking.com under raw materials or the theceramicshop.com and several others.

[@willemh3319]

could you put the recipes in your description i can read but understanding spoken text due to a braininjurie are a bit hard watching goes perfect very nice video👍👍

[@anasclayhouse]

Will do!👍🏻

[@anasclayhouse]

I just added the recipe under the community post. I will have a new video coming soon painting a mug.

[@lisbethsriis3376]

This might be an Odd question: have YOU ever tried putting a little bit of Oil in a glaze - (is it possible ?)🫣

[@anasclayhouse]

Not in the glaze, but I’ve tried in black underglaze. It didn’t work well, I guess it’s because of the water content, doesn’t mix well with oil.😅