Arctic Blue over Iron Lustre Combo Mugs By Janneke de Kleuver

How Arctic Blue over Iron Lustre Creates This Soft Blue Surface

This Arctic Blue over Iron Lustre glaze combination was tested on white stoneware by Janneke de Kleuver. The layering produces a soft blue-grey surface with warm brown accents around the rim and raised areas of the mug.

Iron Lustre serves as the foundation glaze. Applied underneath, it contributes the warm earthy tones that become visible where the top glaze thins during firing. Arctic Blue is layered over the surface and softens the darker base, creating a cloudy blue-grey appearance with subtle variation across the form.

The interaction between the two glazes is especially noticeable around edges, handles, and rims. As Arctic Blue becomes thinner in these areas, the warmer tones from Iron Lustre emerge, producing natural brown highlights that frame the piece and add visual depth.

Glaze Application

• Clay body: White stoneware
• AMACO Iron Lustre ×2 coats overall
• AMACO Arctic Blue ×2 coats overall
• Fired to Cone 6

Because both glazes are applied across the entire mug, the final appearance depends on glaze thickness and the contours of the form. Flat areas remain predominantly blue-grey, while edges develop warmer transitions where the underlying Iron Lustre influences the surface.

This Arctic Blue over Iron Lustre combination creates a balanced Cone 6 finish that combines cool blue tones with subtle earthy highlights, making it a useful layering option for functional pottery and mugs.

Credit: Janneke de Kleuver

• Clay body: White stoneware
• AMACO Iron Lustre x2 all over
• AMACO Arctic blue x2 all over

Credit: Janneke de Kleuver