SLAB RELIEF TILE

OBJECTIVES To construct a relief tile using basic slab construction, score & slip and applique techniques. To relate relief sculpture methods to the elements and principles of design on a tile. To tell a story or set a mood using the element of space. To understand how relief sculptures have been used in history and as an art form. To define the ceramic terms; Relief, Bas-relief and Applique.

Some sculptures are meant to be viewed from all sides or “in the round”. They are “fully three-dimensional”.

The “viewpoint” for some sculptures are even underneath!

RELIEF SCLULPTURE is “frontal” - meant to be viewed from one side only (the front) - even though details and sculpting are quite three-dimensional.

Relief The term relief comes from the Latin verb relevo, which means to raise. To create a sculpture in relief is to give the impression that the sculpted material has been raised above the background plane. Bas-Relief French word meaning low-relief. Technique where less than 50% of the depth of the piece is shown and there may be undercut areas.

Applique Involves adding low relief clay forms to slip and scored, leather-hard surfaces for embellishment. Decorative technique that involves the addition of molded clay to vessel surface.

Today we see Relief carvings most often on the pediments of government buildings, monuments and sometimes school buildings built in the classic style of architecture.

Contemporary ceramics has evolved, and often the functional becomes the sculptural and the sculptural becomes the functional.

Pennsylvania ceramic artist David Stabley not only alters traditional, functional forms, but uses shape, surface, texture, and color to tell stories on clay.

Originally trained as a printmaker, David uses the clay surface as his canvas on which he draws, paints, and carves .

What do you notice about Stabley’s work?

YOUR TASK Create a story or set a mood that will be told through a relief tile Story ideas: song an event in your life fairytale movie historic event

SPACE Foreground Middle ground Background Size relationship Objects that are large Objects that are small

Preliminary drawings Create 2 very different ideas for your preliminary drawing Try to convey what will be added on and what will be carved Show how you will use texture

VOCABULARY Relief low relief (bas-relief) Applique Composition Foreground Middle ground Background Narrative Texture Space Size relationship

CRITERIA Clay body – either red or grey Size – minimum 7”x7”x1/2” wet Include foreground, middle ground and background Have large, medium and small shapes Shapes overlap Areas that are built up (Bas-Relief) using applique Objects can extend off the edge Finish Techniques – Underglazes & Glazes Craftsmanship

Tools, Tools, Tools…. hands modeling tools loop tools ribs sponge wire clay cutter

Slab Building Techniques

When to add or subtract clay? When clay is leather-hard it is best to add (applique) or subtract clay. Make sure to score and slip all applique. Use loop tools to subtract areas of clay. Use the proper sized tool for the task. i.e. larger tools will take away larger areas of clay away faster, etc.

relief tile demo