The Artisan Color Line

We at UGC love our bubbles!

This color line was first added in 2010 and more colors have been added since then. There are now 20 colors in the Artisan line.  The colors come in powder form and are mixed with our UGC Medium to form a liquid. The colors are translucent/transparent and create bubbles when fired between layers of glass. They can also be used in their dry form and the bubbles will be smaller and darker between glass and they can also be use on the top of the glass for a darker, textured effect. By using specific placement techniques, the bubbles can actually be controlled.

Download Our Artisan Color Chart

On each of the color chips, the upper left corner is what the color looks like when fired on the top layer of glass. On the lower right, it shows the color applied solidly on the bottom layer of glass and the two remaining sections show the color applied with a 10/0 script liner to form fine, controlled lines of bubbles. The secret to the controlled lines is --- don't let them touch!

We like to say that this color line is "application dependent", meaning that your results are based on how you apply the colors. Different applications will provide a wide variety of effects.

Color Families

You can use the Artisan Colors along with our NT Color Line BUT you CANNOT combine the two color families to create a new color. They are two totally different products. They can run into one another or be applied next to one another with no problems.

Even though the Artisan Line is a "color family", we do not recommend mixing the colors with one another to try to create a new color as each color in this line is a different mix of ingredients. Instead, let them flow into one another to create interesting effects.

Characteristics

Each color has its own different characteristic. Look closely at the color chart. You can see that they all do not produce the same sized bubbles when fired between layers.

The colors that mix up very smooth and be used in our Decorator Bottle with Metal Tip for finely controlled, even lines. All colors can be applied using a 10/0 script liner to achieve fine lines.

Solar Flare can sometimes have a reddish glow.

Wine and Charcoal produces the finest bubbles. However, it depends on how heavily you apply them as to the size bubble you achieve. Application Dependent! Royal Blue and Mystic Blue tend to produce the largest bubbles.

Application

Shake the color in the jar BEFORE adding UGC Medium to evenly disburse the ingredients. Small, gritty stuff in the color is okay. Some will dissolve, some will not. If you don't want spots of really intense color from the grit, pick it off the wet color application.

We like to mix these colors a bit thicker for intense color than we mix our NT Colors where we tell you they need to be the consistency of melted ice cream. Artisans like to be the consistency of pancake batter! Start by mixing 1 part color to 1 part UGC Medium. If you want it thicker, add more powder; thinner - add some water. Again - Application Dependent. Do you want bigger, more intense bubbles? Mix to pancake batter. Do you want thinner, smaller bubbles with less intense color? Mix to whole milk consistency.

Firing range is 1425F to 1550F on float glass. Experiment with other types of glass to see what interesting effects you can achieve.

Examples of Artisan Projects

  • This was created using only Artisan Colors. The bands of color and the outer rim are colors applied on the top piece of glass and are textured and opaque. On the bottom layer of glass, some of the sections have a solid application and some are created with the liner brush with the lines not touching.

  • Left side of design shows colors applied on top piece of glass, right side shows same colors applied on the bottom layer.

    Pattern and instructions are available under Projects.

  • This tile of is attached to a glass block purchased at a home improvement store. Tile was created by placing circles of color on the top piece of glass and setting it aside. Then both a 10/0 script liner and a Decorator Bottle with Metal Tip were used to create all the lines coming out from the circles. Texture on the top layer, bubbles on the bottom layer. This has been adhered to the glass block with Industrial Strength Velcro so it can be removed for changing of decorating styles or when moving. Tile could be siliconed in place for permanence. When it is off the glass block, it can be displayed on an easel as a piece of artwork.

  • Shows all of the current colors in the line, both on the top layer of glass, and in between the layers.

    Beginning with Wine and going clockwise - Azure, Glacier, Green, Royal Blue, Teal Green, Sienna, Solar Flare, Mystic Blue and Teal Blue.

  • Large panel with Artisan Colors blending into NT Colors and incorporating glass frit leaves (frit colored with NT Colors) and Black MUD on tree trunks.

More Examples of Artisan Projects.

  • "Glass Patterns Quarterly" - Spring 2011: Artisan Colors combined with NT Colors for the sky.
    By Dr. SJ Jankauskas

  • The first three photos are 4 1/4" tiles done using the colors in the Decorator Bottle with Metal Tip and the last photo is of a decorative plate where the colors have been allowed to intermix in a swirl pattern.