Building with Clay

Part 5 Clay construction: There are several methods used to make clay objects

4 basic types of construction Pinch pots Coil construction Slab construction Using the potter’s wheel

Pinch Pots A pinch pot is probably the oldest method of making a bowl. You use your fingers to shape the bowl This bowl is made by a high school student in Guam, USA and is posted on line at : http://mryoungsart.blogspot.ca/2010/10/last-of-pinch-pots.html

Pinch pots can get very complex Pinch pots can be added to, manipulated and joined to create complex objects

Making a pinch pot There are several videos that show how to make pinch pots: Neil Patterson’s 10 minute video is one. In the first 7 minutes it shows the construction of a pinch pot plus the attaching of a coil base and scoring and slip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0- YQvVnKcwA This is a link to a 9 minute video showing the process of making a pinch pot. Notice how even the sides become as the artist works her way from the bottom to the top of the bowl. This video shows how the walls are formed by showing the pots sliced in half. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReRCcDGMQNQ There are a few shorter videos but the detail is not as refined: this one is a quick demonstration for one that will be part of a rattle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS7M77pDuYg

Coil construction A coil pot is made by connecting snake-like rolls of clay to one another, using a slip between each of the coils. A great site to see how this is done can be found at: http://www.lakesidepottery.com/Pages/Pottery-tips/Making-a- clay-coiled-pot-Lakeside-Pottery-Tutorial.htm

Coil construction (cont’d) The coils can be stacked or wrapped around to create a design, or placed diagonally, or smoothed out.

Coil construction This video (32 minutes) shows a slab bottom with coil construction. We just need to see the first 5 minutes or so for the basic coil. The rest shows variations on the coil technique: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB6GFo0M92g

Joining pieces of clay To join two pieces we need to : Score both surfaces you want to join (crosshatch them), Add slip (clay and water), Push the pieces together then: wiggle to remove the air.

Joining 2 pieces of clay You need to crosshatch both pieces with a sharp instrument. This roughs up the surface. Next you need to add a layer of “slip”. This is a mixture of water and clay and it acts like glue. Then you need to push the two pieces together tightly Finally, you need to wriggle the two pieces to help remove any air that might be trapped between them.

Attaching wet clay to dry clay doesn’t work Both pieces of clay need to be moist. Wet clay does not attach properly to dry clay. You may think you have made a secure connection, but as soon as it dries, or when it is put into the kiln to be fired the two pieces will separate.

Slab construction With this method you need to use a rolling pin and roll out flat pieces of clay that are evenly thick. For a tutorial on this method see: http://www.jhpottery.com/tutorial/slab.html

Slab construction You start by rolling out the ball of clay into a flat, even slab. Make sure the rolling pin rests on the wooden slats on each side. This will keep the clay the same thickness as the slats.

Making objects using slab construction Many objects can be constructed using the slab technique. You need to cross- hatch (score), slip , push and twist to connect the pieces properly

There are many ways to add detail This video shows a way to cut through the clay to create an open design: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-78HyFJ0Usk

Using a Potter’s wheel In the ceramics course in Grade 11 you will get a chance to use the Potter’s wheel.

Reminder of what needs to be done before you start working with clay: Complete the worksheet and pass the clay clean-up test before starting the project Know how to clean up the studio Know how to store your work and what to do with the extra clay