Working with Clay

Kiln A kiln is a special oven or furnace that can reach very high temperatures and is used to bake or fire clay. The kiln will reach very high temperatures

Images of Traditional Kilns…

Wedging A technique to remove air pockets from the clay. Failure to remove air pockets could cause your clay sculpture to explode in the kiln. Instruction: Watch the teacher’s demonstration and practice wedging a piece of clay.

Clay Building Techniques 1. Pinching 2. Coiling 3. Slab

Pinching a small vessel Pinching is a fundamental pottery technique. Making a pinch-pot is pressing the thumb into a ball of clay, and drawing the clay out into a pot by repeatedly squeezing the clay between the thumb and fingers. Instructions: Watch the demonstration and try it for yourself.

Pinching a small vessel

Coiling a small vessel Long, snakelike ropes of clay that are used in making pottery. The coil method of making pottery involves building the walls of a pot with a series of coils into the required shape. Instructions: Watch the demonstration and try it for yourself.

Coiling

Slab Building a small vessel To build up with flat layers of clay, clay slabs are cut to shape and joined together using scoring and wet clay called slip. Scoring and applying slip to such roughened surfaces creates a bond that holds the pieces together. Instructions: Watch the demonstration and try it for yourself.

Slab Building

Scoring, Slipping, Sealing When joining two pieces of clay you MUST use the “SSS” process. Scoring – to scratch the surface of two sides of clay to make it rough before adding slip. Slipping – adding slip or making the scratched surface very wet with water. Sealing – the process of sealing the joins to secure them and to make the seams smooth.

Scoring, Slipping, Sealing Instructions: Watch the demonstration “how to properly score, slip and seal” two pieces of clay and try it for yourself.

Creating Designs Sgraffito – to scratch designs or your signature into your sculpture or pottery using a sharp tool. Indenting – making a mark into clay with a tool, such as a stamp or carving tool. Piercing – cutting or piercing a design into clay that is leatherhard. There are various ways to create Textures.