Smokey Merlot, Running Hot Chowder and Iron Luster Glaze Combination

Smokey Merlot, Running Hot Chowder and Iron Luster create a richly layered surface with burgundy, turquoise-blue and warm metallic areas. This Cone 6 combination was tested by Timmie Merkl on white B-Mix clay.

The surface was built with two coats of Smokey Merlot, followed by dots of Spectrum Running Hot Chowder and one coat of Iron Luster. During firing, the dotted layer expanded and interacted with the surrounding glazes, producing a network of rounded cells across the exterior.

Glaze Application

Apply the glazes in the following order:

1. Smokey Merlot – 2 coats
2. Spectrum Running Hot Chowder – dots
3. Iron Luster – 1 coat

Clay body: White B-Mix
Firing temperature: Cone 6
Artist: Timmie Merkl

The Running Hot Chowder was applied as separate dots rather than as a complete layer. Dot size and spacing will influence the final pattern: larger or closely spaced dots may merge, while smaller dots are more likely to remain individually defined.

How Smokey Merlot, Running Hot Chowder and Iron Luster Interact

Smokey Merlot forms the coloured foundation of this combination. Its dark wine-red and violet tones remain visible inside many of the rounded cells.

Running Hot Chowder acts as the most fluid part of the layering. At Cone 6, the dots spread beneath the final coat and push into the surrounding glaze. This movement creates the cellular pattern and pale blue boundaries visible across the pot.

Iron Luster contributes darker areas, fine surface variation and warm iron-toned highlights. Because only one coat was used, it does not completely hide the layers underneath. Instead, it reacts with both Smokey Merlot and the fluid dots, producing transitions from burgundy and purple to turquoise, blue and bronze.

The white B-Mix clay provides a light, neutral base that helps the cooler blue areas remain visible. Results may appear darker or more subdued on buff, speckled or iron-rich clay bodies.

Practical Testing Notes

This is a fluid glaze combination, particularly where the Running Hot Chowder dots are large or heavily applied. Keep the lowest dots comfortably above the foot and leave an unglazed safety margin at the bottom.

Changes in coat thickness, dot size, firing schedule and kiln atmosphere can significantly alter the result. A test tile is recommended before using the combination on an important piece.

The interior shown in the original example is very dark and is not included in the shared exterior glaze recipe.

Final Result

The combo produce a complex cellular surface at Cone 6. The combination works because the burgundy base provides colour, the Running Hot Chowder dots create movement, and the thin Iron Luster layer adds darker contrast and warm metallic variation.