Hand Building Techniques
Beginning with a ball of clay and using two fingers to open up and expand the walls outwards to create a vessel type shape.
What technique is this?
Pinch
Clay that has the most water content at this stage and is still pliable
Wet/Plastic
What are the two reasons we wedge clay?
1. To remove air bubbles.
2. Equalize the moisture in the clay.
Loop Tools
What is slip? What do you use it for?
A mixture of fine clay and water to the consistency of cream. It is used in making copies of molds and is used to join moist pieces of clay together.
A method of forming by building up with walls with rope-like shapes of clay and then sometimes smoothing the joints. This is an additive process.
What technique is this?
Coil
At this stage, the clay is still visibly damp but has dried enough to be able to be handled without deformation. It can still be carved or decorated.
Leatherhard
What do we use to fire our clay projects?
A Kiln
TOOL B
Felting Knife
Describe the process of joining 2 pieces of clay
1. Score surface of each piece of clay
2. Add slip and join together
3. Push and smooth 2 pieces together
4. Smooth out both sides of clay
The method of building by rolling and cutting sheets of clay which are attached to each other by using slip. This is an additive process.
Slab
A piece that has been fired once. It is rock-like and permanent. However, it is still porous
Bisqueware
What are the ingredients that clay contains and dirt does not?
Alumina, Silica & Water
TOOL C
Wooden Modeling Tools
What should you add on the side of two pieces of clay after joining them together?
Coils
Designs made by taking away clay, slowly creating the desired form. Also referred to as engraving or incising.
Subtractive
All moisture has left the clay and it is very fragile. It is ready for the bisque fire.
Bonedry
What happens if you leave bubbles in your clay?
It will explode!
TOOL D
Rubber Kidney + Wooden Rib
What can happen when you are trying to join two pieces of clay that are too wet?
The pieces can droop, or fall off.
Relief designs made by adding, combining or building up materials. Coils, slabs, or pinch formed shapes can all be added onto the surface to create a relief design.
Additive
A ceramic piece that has a hard glassy surface coating and has been fired for a second time. It is non-porous at this stage.
Glazeware
What is the origin of the word ceramics?
The word ceramics comes from the Greek keramos meaning potter’s clay.
TOOL E
Banding Wheel
What is the final step you should do before bisque firing?
Smooth out the sides of clay by burnishing. Using a sponge with very little water to smooth out sides.