Opaline Overlays | Kilnforming

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Opaline Overlays

Bullseye's Opaline Opalescent (000403) sheet glass has great potential to expand the color palette in kilnforming because it has the ability to create new colors with distinct properties.

About Opaline

Opaline requires a full fuse to strike to a hazy, milky white that transmits warm-hued light. Transmitted light varies based on thickness: Thinner pieces result in a yellow-ish hue, thicker pieces in a warmer almost orange hue. Opacity increases with extended heatwork. (See About Our Glass for Opaline working notes.)

  • Full fused Opaline in reflected light.
  • Full fused Opaline in transmitted light.

Overlay Information

As an overlay, Opaline creates various effects based on the value of the base glass.

  • As an overlay, Opaline creates various effects based on the value of the base glass.
  • As an overlay, Opaline creates various effects based on the value of the base glass.

 

Transparent glasses capped with Opaline result in a hazy opalescent version of the original color, when viewed in reflected light. Viewed in transmitted light, the Opaline layer becomes extremely transparent and the base color dominates.

  • Light-valued transparent glasses (left) capped with Opaline (right) in reflected light.
  • Medium-valued transparent glasses (left) capped with Opaline (right) in reflected light.
  • Dark-valued transparent glasses (left) capped with Opaline (right) in reflected light.
  • Dark-valued transparent glasses capped with Opaline (top) in transmitted light. The base color dominates.

 

With opalescent styles, Opaline has a subtle effect over lighter-valued hues (viewed in reflected light) and a more dramatic blue-hued effect over darker-valued colors.

  • Light-valued opalescent glasses (top) capped with Opaline (bottom) in reflected light.
  • Medium-valued opalescent glasses (top) capped with Opaline (bottom) in reflected light.
  • Dark-valued opalescent glasses (top) capped with Opaline (bottom) in reflected light.

 

Helpful Resources

About Our Glass: Opaline Opalescent (working notes)
Make It: Opaline Sushi Set
Quick Tip: Frit Balls (includes info on working with Opaline frit)
Quick Tip: Opaline Ring
What to Expect from Opaline Frit PDF
Video lesson: Expanding the Color Palette: Opaline Overlays (subscription required)
Blog post: "Beware: Opaline Overdose"
Blog post: "Things to Learn – or Re-learn – on the Way to SOFA"

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