Intro to CLAY Unit

GOALS: Students will be able to identify the relationship between tools, materials and/or techniques. Student will be able to identify and experiment with materials, tools, and techniques appropriately and expressively in his or her own artwork. Students will be able to create an artwork.

How will we know if we met our goals? PowerPoint: Clay techniques (take notes) Project: mask, glazing Clay Quiz Critique Evaluation

CLAY VOCAB: Clay- moist earth made of decomposed rock Firing- baking clay at a high temperature Kiln- An oven for firing clay Plastic- wet workable clay Leatherhard- unfired clay, not quite dry but firm enough to carve Green Ware / Bone Dry- clay that is dry but has not be fired Bisque Ware- clay that has been fired Glaze fire- the second firing in which the glaze turns to glass Slip- a mixture of clay and water. Looks like pudding (but doesn’t taste like it) Knead / Wedge: To remove the air bubbles Scoring- Roughing up the surface of the clay. Combined with slip, scoring creates a firm bond between two pieces of clay.

Sponge Metal Rib/Scraper Needle Tool Wood Modeling Tool Wire Cutter Ribbon Tool Loop Tool Wooden Rib

Hand-building Technique- PINCH Using your fingers to pinch and shape the clay.

Hand Building Technique- COIL Rolled out, snake like, pieces of clay that are added to each other to create a larger clay form.

Hand building Technique- SLAB Using flat sheets of clay to build with clay. Either thrown or rolled out.

Decorative Techniques Incising: carving or cutting the surface with a sharp tool. Impressing: using an object to press or stamp a design into the clay. Combing: marking the surface of the clay with uniform lines. Burnishing: rubbing and polishing the surface with a smooth stone or hard wood.

CONTROL the speed of drying and the thickness your project If your clay dries to fast it may crack and break. Some parts of your clay may be thinner than others and may dry at different rates. This can also cause your clay to separate or crack. If your clay dries too fast it is not workable any more. You may also need to let some of your pieces harden a little to make them more substantial while you build your form. If pieces are too thick or have air bubbles in them they will explode in the kiln.

Moisture and Clay All clay contains water You can add water to rehydrate the clay and make it more plastic again. Too much water makes the clay loose plasticity and turn into a liquid. You may need to rehydrate your clay as you work. When you are not working you need to cover your clay with a plastic bag to keep the moisture in. The only way to get all of the water out of your clay is to fire it. Thick walls may hold moisture pockets in them. The trapped moisture will turn to steam and expand. This expansion will cause the pocket to explode in the kiln. Once the clay is fired it is permanently hardened and can not be made plastic again.

Kneading and Wedging Kneading: Form a loaf shape - tear or cut in half Slam back together Stand above and use your body weight to push down. Wedging: Use both hands at the same time to lift, rotate and press the clay.

Slip and Score – to join pieces Score- Using a tool to scratch and hatch over clay Slip- A liquid form of clay. Slip and Score- Using slip as a “clay cement” between two scored pieces of clay.

Use paper to create a drape mold Slump mold

Green Ware Clay that has not yet been fired

Bisque Ware A ceramic piece that has gone through a firing and has no moisture left.

Glaze A glass like coating. Used to cover a clay form. They are made from various chemicals.

Kiln A kiln is a thermally insulated chamber, or oven, in which a controlled temperature regime is produced

Pottery Ceramic ware that serves a functional purpose

CLAY PROJECT Create a mask design using your personal writing. The instructor will guide you through this process. Keep your writing and sketches. Expect to write a reflection. Incorporate textures on the mask utilizing different tools and techniques. The mask will start at 9 ¾” x 7 ¾” (it will shrink about 12%) Glaze the mask using neutral glazes Participate in class critiques Evaluation If you finish early you may be able to make an additional piece.

CLEAN UP IS A MUST After each clay session: Wash and dry tables Wash and dry all tools Wash and dry counters and sinks Clay project is inside the plastic bag with your name on it and in the cabinet Rags rinsed Floors cleaned ALL STUDENTS ARE TO HELP CLEAN OR NO CLAY!!