1. CERAMICS (for beginning sculptors)

2. CERAMIC vocab: CLAY KILN FIRE WEDGING SCORE SLIP MODELING TOOLS
Fine grain, sticky dirt that is pliable when wet, brittle when dry and hard when heated
CLAY
KILN
WEDGING
MODELING TOOLS
PINCH POT
SCORE
SLIP
A special oven that can reach very high temperatures, used to fire clay
Term used when turning on a kiln to get up to temperature to change clay particles into a ceramic form.
FIRE

3. KILNS WOOD FIRE KILN ELECTRIC KILN GETS UP TO 2000° GAS KILN

4. CERAMIC vocab: CLAY KILN FIRE WEDGING SCORE SLIP MODELING TOOLS
PINCH POT
SCORE
SLIP
Fine grain, sticky dirt that is pliable when wet, brittle when dry and hard when heated
A special oven that can reach very high temperatures, used to fire clay
FIRE
Term used when turning on a kiln to get up to temperature to change clay particles into a ceramic form.
A way of improving the workability of the clay by making it consistent and even in texture while eliminating the air bubbles.
Scratching into a piece of clay to make 2 pieces join together
A creamy liquid made with clay and water…used to bond together 2 pieces of clay

5. WEDGING CLAY

6. SCORE & SLIP

7. CERAMIC vocab: CLAY KILN FIRE WEDGING SCORE SLIP MODELING TOOLS
PINCH POT
SCORE
SLIP
Fine grain, sticky dirt that is pliable when wet, brittle when dry and hard when heated
A special oven that can reach very high temperatures, used to fire clay
FIRE
Term used when turning on a kiln to get up to temperature to change clay particles into a ceramic form.
A way of improving the workability of the clay by making it consistent and even in texture while eliminating the air bubbles.
Scratching into a piece of clay to make 2 pieces join together
A creamy liquid made with clay and water…used to bond together 2 pieces of clay
Tools that are used to mold/push and manipulate the clay

8. MODELING TOOLS

9. CERAMIC vocab: CLAY KILN FIRE WEDGING SCORE SLIP MODELING TOOLS
PINCH POT
SCORE
SLIP
Fine grain, sticky dirt that is pliable when wet, brittle when dry and hard when heated
A special oven that can reach very high temperatures, used to fire clay
FIRE
Term used when turning on a kiln to get up to temperature to change clay particles into a ceramic form.
A way of improving the workability of the clay by making it consistent and even in texture while eliminating the air bubbles.
Scratching into a piece of clay to make 2 pieces join together
A creamy liquid made with clay and water…used to bond together 2 pieces of clay
Tools that are used to mold/push and manipulate the clay
A pottery making technique where you make a pot by pressing your thumb into the center of a ball, rotating the ball while pinching up the sides.

10. PINCH POT CONSTRUCTION
Create a ball of clay by rolling it in your hands, begin by pushing an indention in the center of the clay with your thumb.
1ST
Turn the piece as you pinch up the side walls. Try to keep an even thickness as you rotate and pinch the clay.
2ND
Continue to turn the piece as you pinch up the side walls. Try to keep an even thickness as you rotate and pinch the clay. Smooth the outside of the pot with water if necessary.
3RD

11. CERAMIC vocab: COIL METHOD SLAB METHOD HUMP MOLD
The method of rolling out long tubes of clay and attaching them together to form pottery.
SLAB METHOD
HUMP MOLD

12. 1. Roll a piece of clay into a ball, between your hands;
2. Roll the ball forward and backward between your hands forming a tube;
3. Continue rolling the tube on the table to form a long tube about the size of your pinky finger.

13. CERAMIC vocab: COIL METHOD SLAB METHOD HUMP MOLD
The method of rolling out long tubes of clay and attaching them together to form pottery.
SLAB METHOD
The method of rolling out clay into a broad, flat, piece that can be placed over a mold to create a form.
HUMP MOLD
The method of draping a slab of clay over a convex form to shape and form it.

14. SLAB
HUMP MOLD

15. LEATHERHARD—STRONG/DAMP/COLD
Clay Stages
SLIP—LIQUID
A creamy liquid made with clay and water used to join pieces of clay together.
GREENWARE
Clay
that
hasn’t
been
fired
PLASTIC—MALLEABLE
The stage of clay where it is still moldable. It can be shaped or manipulated without tearing or breaking.
LEATHERHARD—STRONG/DAMP/COLD
Clay had started to dry, but, it still has some moisture. Leatherhard clay can still be carved into or joined to other pieces. CAN’T MANIPULATE!
BONE-DRY—FRAGILE
Stage of drying when moisture in the clay has COMPLETELY evaporated. The clay is at room temperature.

16. BISQUE—STURDY/POROUS GLAZE FIRED—FINISHED/NON-POROUS
Clay Stages...cont.
BISQUE—STURDY/POROUS
Ceramic ware that has gone through the first stage of firing at a relatively low temperature and still maintains its porous state.
GLAZE FIRED—FINISHED/NON-POROUS
The firing during which glaze materials melt and form a coating on the clay body surface.

17. Ten Golden Rules
Clay must be thoroughly covered up with a plastic bag to keep it from drying out. This applies to works in progress and moist clay.
Clay dust can be harmful if you are exposed to it for long periods of time, so keep your area clean, clay scraps off the floor and clean with water and a sponge.
Clay can be NO THICKER than your thumb. RULE OF THUMB!
In order for clay to stick together it MUST be scored and slipped together while the clay is moist or leatherhard.
Wedge clay to remove air bubbles to achieve uniform consistency and to line up the particles of clay.
Trapped air can cause clay to explode during the firing process. So hollow out sculptural forms or thick areas and put needle holes from the bottom so air can escape. Exploding pieces in the kiln can damage other pieces near it.
WRITE YOUR NAME OR INITIALS AND DATE YOUR PIECE IN AN INCONSPICUOUS AREA.
Always handle your project with two hands at all times. In other words, BE CAREFUL! Lift by the body of the piece and support the weight with your other hand.
NEVER HANDLE ANOTHER STUDENT’S PIECE NO MATTER WHAT!
DO NOT THROW CLAY ANYWHERE IN THIS ROOM EVER! This will result in removal from the clay project and an automatic ZERO for the project!