Glass techniques
Blowing glass is one of the oldest glassmaking methods. It is
where a glassblower works at a furnace, and uses metal rods and hand tools to
blow and shape molten glass into almost any form. As well as being one of the
oldest techniques it is one of the more popular ways to work. Most large hollow
pieces are made using this method, but care and a steady hand is needed to
continually rotate the pole so the glass has an even form while it is still molten.
Cast glass can be done at the torch or in a kiln. Normally
the artist makes a mould out of sand, plaster and silica which can be filled
with either clear glass, coloured, or patterned glass, depending on the
techniques and effects desired. Large scale glass sculpture is usually created
this way. Slumped glass and fused glass is similar to cast glass, but it is not
done at as high of a temperature. Usually the glass is only heated enough to
impress a shape or a texture onto the piece, or to stick several pieces of
glass together without a glue.
Etched glass is created by dipping glass that has an acid
resistant pattern applied to its surface into an acid solution. Also an artist
can engrave it by hand using wheels. Sandblasting can create a similar effect.
Another type of glasswork is flame-worked glass. This is
where torches and kilns are used. The artist generally works at a bench using
rods and tubes of glass, shaping the glass with hand tools to create their
work. Many forms can be achieved this way with little space needed and at small
cost. The artist is limited in the size of the work that can be created, but a
lot of detail can be achieved using this technique.
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