AMACO Velvet Underglaze, V-387 Bright Red, Opaque, Pint

Yes, Amaco velvet underglazes are expensive! But for what you get, they're worth every single penny you pay. And I've tried many other brands, some of which are pretty good, others not so. Coverage is excellent (I usually need solid coverage, so I have to use three coats; but when I don't need solid coverage, I can get away with one or two coats, depending on the color.) The fired colors, not just the red, are very vivid and very close to the color in the bottle, which makes mixing colors much easier if you like to do that (I do!!). The fired unglazed underglazes are strong and rich, and the clear-glazed ones are eye-poppingly vivid. I very, very highly recommend Amaco velvet underglazes for any serious clay artist. Some colors are a bit fussy (amethyst, for example), and you have to get to know how each color behaves and what its coverage is like). If you're just starting with them, I highly recommend making a single large test tile with all colors on it, or individual smaller test tiles, with 1, 2, and 3 coats per color and half glazed and half unglazed. It's a priceless tool, especially in the beginning.

This underglaze gives about the best red you can get. The photo shows it after bisque firing- after clear glaze and high-fire, it really pops. AMACO's Velvets are pricey, but they are the best.

Best when applied to bisque rather than greenware. Use multiple coats. My best results for large area coverage came when I thinned it slightly with water and applied with an airbrush rather than brushing it on. Definitely a bright red that really pops when covered with clear glaze!

This red underglaze will turn dark red from black mold and the smell of rotten eggs is overpowering. Contacted Amaco and they said this will not affect the final color after firing and this happens to their red, yellow and orange colors. This did also happen to the bright yellow I purchased. My problem with this, besides the smell, is I mix all my colors using red, yellow and blue and it is not possible to determine the color I’m getting. Amaco’s recommendation was to buy these colors in the 2 oz size. My solution is to find an alternative like Mayco.

Great underglaze!

consistently predictable

Generally I absolutely LOVE Amaco underglazes, but this was the worst bottle I ever received. Every time I used it, it bubbled on the surface of the clay. No matter how I glazed it, it came out pitted where it had bubbled. It was either contaminated, old, or previously frozen and unfrozen. I kept trying because red is so expensive. Yet it happened every time I used it. So I had to discard the paint. That really cuts into an artist's income and productivity. I will always buy straight from Amaco in the future.

Me encanta ese color y ese acabado de terciopelo que da a mis piezas de ceramica navideñas