Ceramics
How to create atmospheric dusk and dawn inspired glaze transitions using layered underglaze washes.
Discover how to build softly shifting glaze layers that evoke the luminous transitions of twilight, guiding you through practical steps, color choices, and kiln considerations for deeply atmospheric pottery finishes.
July 26, 2025 - 3 min Read
Creating glaze transitions that resemble dusk or dawn begins with a clear vision of the atmosphere you want to evoke. Start by selecting underglazes that align with the spectrum of a sky at these magical times—muted purples, rose pinks, cool blues, and whisper-soft oranges. Plan the sequence of washes so each layer subtly overlaps the next, allowing the color to mingle without becoming muddy. The goal is balance: enough contrast to read as a transition, but enough softness that the shift feels natural. Consider warming your studio lights or viewing under raking light to test how the hues interact. Document each step for future reuse.
Before applying any color, prepare your ceramic surface meticulously. Wipe the bisque clean, then lightly abrade the surface to remove tiny imperfections that could interrupt the wash. Use a clear glaze spacer to mark areas of anticipated color shift, eliminating unexpected bleed areas later. When mixing underglazes, keep the pigments slightly diluted so you can build depth gradually. Apply the first wash a bit thinner than you expect; this establishes the canvas for subsequent layers. Allow each layer to dry completely before adding the next, and keep a soft towel handy to catch any drips quickly.
Dawn and dusk emerge through patient, layered color work.
Layered underglazes thrive on careful control of moisture and gravity. Begin with a light wash in a pale, cool base—think a pale lavender or soft gray-blue—that establishes the overall tonal direction. While this base is still damp, float a second color along the edge where the light seems to meet the horizon. The trick is to let the edge fade, rather than harden, so the transition feels organic. If the glaze becomes too strong in one spot, use a damp brush to pull pigment outward, smoothing the shift. Test on spares: a chipped shard, a blank tile, or a test bowl helps you predict how the final piece will behave.
Consider the role of surface texture in your dusk-dawn palette. A matte or satin surface tends to hold soft washes more effectively than a glossy finish, which can create harsh boundaries. If you desire a shimmer in the uppermost layer that mimics the last glints of sunlight, apply a tiny amount of metallic oxide or a sparing glaze with a fine mica content. Remember that atmospheric lighting changes how color reads; what looks gentle in a studio may glow differently in daylight or lamp light. Build a palette card for quick reference, noting which washes reproduce the tones you most long to celebrate.
Layering washes creates atmospheric depth and cohesion.
The first wash after the base sets the stage for the main transition. Choose a slightly cooler hue for the lower portion and a warmer tone near the top edge, where light would naturally hit the object. Use a broad, soft brush and pull the color with feathered motions to avoid crisp lines. Let the wash pool along the rim and across curves to emphasize shape while still reading as air and distance. If you notice an overly saturated area, a damp brush can lift some pigment before it dries, offering a chance to re-balance the gradient.
Build depth with a second, more selective wash that touches only the areas you want to intensify. This layer should be semi-transparent, allowing the first wash to show through and create visual depth. Apply in circular or diagonal sweeps to mimic the way light threads through clouds. Keep a spare clean brush at hand to blend transitions along edges. Rotate the vessel periodically so that the glaze settles evenly on all faces. Finally, inspect under a strong light and adjust any abrupt changes by feathering with a dry brush.
Kiln strategy and testing refine the final glow.
A third wash can act as the final kiss of dawn or dusk, where you introduce the warmest accents. Use a diluted orange or peach to hover near raised rims or high relief areas, letting the color catch a hint of warmth against cooler shadows. The aim is subtlety: these accents should feel like a glow rather than saturated color. Practicing on spare pieces helps you calibrate how much warmth reads on a finished form. If the glaze becomes too bright, knock back the intensity with a cooler shadow wash over adjacent zones. This final pass should unify the piece, not shout at the viewer.
During the firing schedule, be mindful of how slow cooling interacts with layered underglazes. If you use a reduction or a specific atmosphere, the colors may shift in unexpected ways. An annealing step toward the end of the firing can help stabilize the surface and prevent crackling or crazing that would disrupt the dusk-dawn effect. Record the kiln profile that produced the most pleasing transitions, including ramp rates and soaking times. The best results often come from adhering to a consistent routine and revisiting it with small, purposeful tweaks.
Form, light, and touchpoints guide the narrative glaze.
After cooling, assess the glaze transitions under several light conditions. Fluorescent light can reveal subtle blue undertones, while warm tungsten may emphasize orange warmth. Photograph your pieces to capture color shifts you might not notice in real time, creating a reference library for future work. If a transition seems too abrupt, you can gently wipe a portion of the upper layer with a damp sponge and rework the edge while the glaze is still pliable. Patience is essential; allowing pigment to settle and readjust over twenty-four hours often yields the most natural glow.
Finally, consider the vessel’s form in relation to its glaze. Narrow necks and tall walls will display gradient more dramatically than a flat plate. If the form is flat and wide, introduce subtle curvature with topography-friendly washes that follow the contour. The goal remains a cohesive narrative across the object, where dawn’s first light or dusk’s last color travels seamlessly along every curve. Keep notes on the exact brush sizes, dilutions, and moments of transition so you can reproduce or modify the effect later.
For artists who crave more control, masking can be a useful ally. Apply a liquid mask over areas you want to preserve in a single tone, then lay down the washes elsewhere. Once the mask dries, remove it to reveal clean boundaries where the color shifts happen. This technique is particularly effective on textured or sculpted surfaces where hard edges would otherwise appear unnatural. Practice on samples to refine your timing and tension between masks and washes. The aim is to keep your transitions gentle while still offering a moment of surprise where the light feels newly born.
In the end, your dusk-dawn glaze transitions should feel approachable yet refined. Prefer quiet color relationships over loud contrasts, and let the surface texture carry as much narrative as the color itself. Build a habit of testing on shards, record the outcomes, and periodically revisit the same two or three palettes to evolve them slowly. With consistent practice, your work will read as a natural light story told across ceramic surfaces, encouraging viewers to linger and discover new tonalities with every glance. The best pieces invite interpretation and reward careful inspection, becoming timeless reminders of those two daily thresholds.
