1. Bas Relief Project Carving & Adding Clay to a small slab
Tile Design
Bas Relief Project
Carving & Adding
Clay to a small slab

2. Examples

3. Examples

4. Examples

5. Examples

6. Examples

7. Examples

8. Examples

9. Examples – Imprinting and Carving

10. For this project you will be creating a 5” x 5” tile from a rolled-out slab
Design and texture will be added through subtractive (carving) and additive (score and slip) methods
Color can be added later with either paint or colored stains
If you would like to hang it on the wall, make sure to add 2 holes in the upper corners (not too close to the edge though!)
Tile & Texture Project

11. STEP 1 – Brainstorm, Sketch and Design: Using the thumbnail square worksheet (small sketched drawings), create 3 designs that could be used for this project. Use at least one element and principle in each design!
Think about textures that could be added or areas that could be raised (added on with clay) or lowered (carved away) making it a “bas relief” artwork
Make sure design utilizes the entire square – your artwork should go edge-to-edge. Don’t be afraid to have shapes go “off the page”. You may also have a border, but don’t be afraid to have objects touch or break through the border.
Color is an element that should be added to your sketches. You may paint these with acrylic paint (after firing) OR use glazes and stains after the bisque firing
The theme of you work should be about NATURAL FORMS AND TEXTURES - An underwater scene of coral and seaweed, an abstract composition that microscopic creatures, floral forms or ??? You should look at photos to gain inspiration!
Stay away from scenes that might look “trite” – aka a beach with an umbrella or flowers that are drawn without looking at actual photos (think of that daisy we’ve been drawing since we were 5!)
Tile & Texture Project

12. Tile & Texture Project STEP 1 – Brainstorm, Sketch and Design:
Once you have your sketches (3) completed, make notes about how and where you will add dimension to your tile. This will not be totally flat!
Think about how you will carve away and add to your tile
With the teacher’s approval, select your final design and transfer to full-size 5” x 5” paper (outlines of shapes only)
Tile & Texture Project

13. STEP 2 – Wedge/prep your clay (with small group) and roll out slabs of clay.
Roll out a slab that is EVEN IN THICKNESS! It should be between ¼ inch to 3/8 inch thick. Be careful that the edges are not to thin and the middle to thick (a common mistake).
Roll in all directions
If your clay is cracking on the edges, you should spray with water – it’s getting too dried out.

14. STEP 3 – Cut out tile
Tile should be a square! 5” x 5”.
Use a ruler and a triangle or corner of paper if needed! The corners should be 90 degree angles – not “eyeballed” – you must measure and use tools to make it right!

15. STEP 4 – Transfer design to clay
Using your 5 x 5” template/drawing, place on your cut out tile and lightly trace your shapes with a pencil. It will make an indent on the tile when you pull paper away. This will be your guide and starting point to create your tile…

16. STEP 5 – Use Additive and Subtractive Methods to modify design.
Use the carving tools to remove portions of the clay – make sure not to carve too much as you can make areas weak and cause them to crack
Use additive methods (small coils, thin slabs, rolled out forms) to add depth and texture. These must be added with the score and slip joining method.
Tile & Texture Project

17. Tile & Texture Project STEP 6 – Finishing your work
Look over your work carefully for “burrs” - little clay leftovers that, when fired” can be very sharp. Clean up and smooth over your edges and areas where clay has been joined. Check for cracking and try to repair.
Sign your name (full name, readable!) on the back. You can add a date (year) if you want
Poke a hole (or 2 in the upper corners) if you want to hang it – remember, clay shrinks so keep that in mind and make sure the hole won’t close when fired.
Tile & Texture Project

18. Tile & Texture Project GRADING You will be graded on the following –
Design Quality – entire space utilized, elements and principles used
Craftsmanship – neatness and care in work
Use of additive and subtractive textures
Avoid cookie-cutter looking additive forms – blend, shape, model edges of cut-outs
Creativity
Tile & Texture Project

19. Tile examples Tile Project
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Victoria Ellis – figurative clay tiles
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YkY
Tile examples