Ceramics Stages of Clay Reclaimed Clay: The Recycling Process Hand Building Techniques Tools

CLAY— A MOIST EARTH OF DECOMPOSED ROCK; USED IN PRODUCTS SUCH AS POTTERY, BRICKS, TILES, AND SCULPTURE. Makes up much of the earth’s crust.

CLAY There are many types of clay. This is the kind we will be using. Fired at 04-06 WHITE EARTHENWARE—This is a low fired clay that is usually greyish brown when wet and white when fired. RED (stronger)

SEVEN STAGES OF CLAY RECYCLED/RECLAIMED CLAY PLASTIC LEATHER HARD BONE-DRY/GREENWARE FIRST FIRING (BISQUEWARE) GLAZED SECOND FIRING (GLAZEDWARE)

RECLAIMED CLAY: The Recycling Process

5 Steps of Reclaiming Clay Drying and Collecting Slacking Down Working Consistency Wedging and Kneading Storing

Step 1: Drying and Collecting Before clay can be reclaimed it must be allowed to dry out completely. When dry, break the clay down into small pieces and place those pieces into a large plastic container.

Step 2: Slaking Down Cover the dried clay with warm water and allow the slaking down process to begin. The water should cover the clay completely. Slaking Down—refers to the process of dissolving dried, unfired clay in water to produce a slip or slurry.

Step 3: Working Consistency Spread a thin to thick layer (about 2-3 inches deep) onto an absorbent surface. Then, flip the clay periodically to even out the drying. (the clay should pull away from the surface easily when it is ready to flip.)  

Step 4: Wedging and Kneading Wedging—is a process used to prepare clay for building; mixes clay thoroughly and removes air bubbles. Kneading—is a process used to even out the clay and remove any air bubbles, which would cause bloating or explosions during firing.

Step 5: Storing Clay Wedged or Kneaded clay should be stored in plastic bags protecting the clay from any air. Storing clay for long periods of time, the plastic bags should be place in air tight containers so you preserve the clay's workability.

PLASTIC This is the workable stage. The stage where the clay can be molded, can recycled, and you can join pieces of clay together. WET/RAW CLAY PLASTICITY- THE QUALITY OF CLAY WHICH ALLOWS IT TO BE MANIPULATED, SHAPED MOLDED WITHOUT CRACKING OR CRUMBLING; WORKABILTY.

LEATHERHARD THE DAMP BUT STIFFENED STAGE IN DRYING CLAY. HANDLES AND OTHER ADDITIONS APPLIED AT THIS POINT. The temperature of the clay will be a cold. This is the best time to carve into the surface of the clay.

GREENWARE/BONE-DRY Clay will turn a greyish white color. GREENWARE- UNFIRED, BUT DRIED CLAY PIECES. BONE DRY- UNFIRED CLAY THAT IS FREE OF WATER, ONLY CONTAINS THE AMOUNT OF MOISTURE IN ATMOSPHERE. Clay will turn a greyish white color.

BISQUEWARE Clay will be white. FIRST FIRING AT LOWER TEMPERATURE TO MAKE POTS LESS FRAGILE GLAZING; UNGLAZED; FIRED POTTERY. Clay will be white.

GLAZED Glazes can be dipped, sprayed, and brushed on thinly. You don’t paint glazes only underglazes. You can glaze all parts of your ceramic pieces except the bottom. Glazing the bottom will cause the piece to stick to the kiln shelf.

GLAZEDWARE This time the kiln heats up to about 1700 degrees. Glaze—A COATING OF GLASS WHICH IS FUSED TO THE SURFACE OF A CLAY BODY DURING the second FIRING. IT SERVES TO PREVENT THE PENETRATION OF LIQUIDS, PRESENT A GOOD WEARING, EASILY CLEANED SURFACE, AND DECORATE. CAN BE SHINY OR MATTE.

PINCH METHOD The process begins with a ball of clay. Then, thumbs are pushed into the center, and then the walls are created by pinching , pulling, and turning the pot. This is a basic pottery method often taught to young children or beginners.

SLAB METHOD Slab Building– is a method of making pottery in which a thick, flat plate, or slice of clay is cut into shapes and are joined together to form an object. The joined edges are scored and slipped is used.

COIL METHOD A METHOD OF CREATING POTS BY BUILDING BOTTOM AND WALLS WITH EVEN, ROPELIKE COILS.

WHEEL THROWN METHOD Throwing—is the act of creating ceramic pieces on a potter’s wheel. A potter’s wheel is a flat spinning disk that rotates clay in a circular motion while the potter builds ceramic pottery.

Clay Tools Sponge Carving Tool Wire Cutter Loop Tool Potter’s Rib (Wooden— Non-Flexible) Potter’s Rib (Metal—Flexible) Potter’s Needle Wooden Tool

Surface Quality

(USES SCRATCH AND SLIP) Additive IS THE BUILDING UP OF A SURFACE TO CREATE A RAISED AREA. (USES SCRATCH AND SLIP)

Subtractive (TYPICALLY CREATED WITH A CARVING TOOL). IS THE REMOVAL OF MATERIAL TO CREATE A RECESSED AREA. (TYPICALLY CREATED WITH A CARVING TOOL).

Impression IS THE PRESSING OF AN OBJECT INTO CLAY TO CREATE A TEXTURE THAT MIMICS THAT OBJECT. (TYPICALLY CREATED BY STAMPING).

A way to decorate ceramic objects Sgraffito A way to decorate ceramic objects SCRATCHING DESIGNS ON POTTERY

Underglaze COLORS THAT CAN BE PAINTED ON GREENWARE OR BISQUE THAT WILL SHOW THROUGH A CLEAR OVERGLAZE. Underglazes look chalky and have a matte color. They become more bright after adding glaze.

Homework points are earned in the following way: IMPORTANT: Homework—IS ALWAYS DUE ON FRIDAY NO EXCEPTIONS!!! Homework points are earned in the following way: Use a reference to look up a form—always and forever. Describe what you see (is the artwork non-objective, abstract, or representative?) Draw the form 3 times (contour line drawing, value drawing, and color study) Construction breakdown (explain the processes, techniques, tools, etc. that you would use to construct this form using clay)