1. Sculpting in Clay Clay Clay board Canvas sheet Tools Plastic bags
Water bottle
Sponge for support
Slip
Ken Price

2. Three Methods Clay sculpture must be made hollow and should only be a max of 3/8” thick. The three ways of hand-building with clay are…
Pinch
Coil
Slab

3. Pinch No more than 3/8” thick
Pinch No more than 3/8” thick. Keep it even to avoid cracking and weak spots.

4. pinch method

5. Score Slip Stitch Sculpt
When connecting two pinch pots or any two pieces of clay follow these steps.
Score
Slip
Stitch
Sculpt

6. Step 1: Scoring Create a velcro like surface on both pieces.
serrated rib tool
fork

7. Step 2: Slip Slip acts like a glue between the pieces
Step 2: Slip Slip acts like a glue between the pieces. Apply it to the scored area.

8. Step 3 and 4: Stitch and sculpt the seam.
Sculpt to make the seam look nice.

9. Coil Building

10. Step 1: Score and Slip
Step 2: Cut the coil to fit.

11. Step 3: Stitch

12. Only one side needs to be smooth if you like the coiled look.
Smooth or sculpt
repeat

13. angled up and in angled out
Straight up with the coil for a cylinder Angled inward for a slight inward motion Angled outward for a slight outward motion
angled up and in
angled out

14. Coil built examples
Coils were smoothed and textured.

15. Some sculptures are built from a flat base and then presented on their side.

17. Coils can be left as a surface treatment

19. Slab Construction

20. roll out a 3/8”slab

21. Use a ruler to get strait edges.

22. Allow the clay to firm so it isn’t floppy.

23. score and slip
score
slip

24. Stitch and sculpt the edges.

25. Smooth the sides.

26. Three Videos for Slab Construction
slab construction cutting slabs
scoring the walls
Attaching the walls

27. Use a rice filled sock, pillow, or create a hammock with fabric to support clay in different shapes. When clay dries it shrinks so it must be allowed to move.

28. Lay a slab over tubes- the fabric allows it to shrink and the tubes will move. It will be weak until walls and struts are built.

29. Cut the side and build the walls and struts.

30. Add more struts for strength.
Use clay wedges to support the sculpture and hold it into place.

31. After it has been fired the sculpture is strong enough to be presented on its side.

32. Use a sponge for support Use clay for support.
Both clay and a sponge will move as the clay shrinks so no cracking will occur.
Use a sponge for support
Use clay for support.

33. slab

34. coil and slab

35. coil and slab

36. slab and coil

37. slab

39. slab

40. slab

41. slab

42. slab

43. Finishing Techniques
Any tool, fabric, or stamp can make clay an individual piece. It’s important to smooth the surface first and then apply your texture.

44. add

45. a light score and slip is enough for decoration

46. carved The sculpture needs to be on the thicker side in order to carve deeply.

47. gouged

48. smooth or patterned

49. carved

50. slow drying
Dry the piece slowly and evenly.
Place the work on a canvas sheet so it can shrink.
Gently drape a plastic bag over the work so it will dry slowly.
Avoid being too close to the kiln or near a heater.