Vocabulary-Clay Stages Clay-A heavy, sticky material from the earth that is made into different shapes and that becomes hard when it is baked or dried Leatherhard-Unfired clay not dry but firm enough to carve (can no longer add) Greenware-Clay in unfired state that is bone dry Bisque-Clay that has been fired once. Earthenware-The general term for pottery that is not porcelain or some other specific types. (final stage after the second firing for the glaze)
Vocabulary-Other Firing-The process of baking clay Kiln-A furnace used to bake ceramic or clay projects. Wedging-Process of working clay to remove all air pockets or work water into it. Glaze-A liquid that turns to glass when fired and is used to color clay. Scoring-Technique to scratch up the clay to create a rough surface. Slip-A liquefied suspension of clay particles in water.
Preparing your clay for sculpting Wedging removes air pockets
Tools Anything will work!
Methods of sculpting with Clay Pinch Pots or Modeling with clay Coil Building Slab and Slip Methods
Modeling clay into a pinch pot. Start with a ball. Push thumb into center. Pinch from bottom upward. Shape and smooth for finished pot. Review Methods
Modeling clay using coil method Roll clay into coils or “snakes” Attach using the slip and score method Rolling spirals Spheres or Disc shapes Review Methods
Sculpting with the Slab Method Flatten clay Roll and cut to size Score and Slip Join and reinforce Smooth with tools Finish and repeat Review Methods
Student Projects
Review Questions 1. Unfired clay not quite dry but firm enough to carve 2. Furnace used to fire clay 3. Baking clay at a high temperature 4. Clay in unfired state 5. Moist earth of decomposed rock 6. First firing without glaze 7. Finely ground mineral solution, turns to glass when fired 8. This is done to clay to remove air pockets. 9. This method is attaching flat pieces of clay together. 10. To attach 2 pieces of clay together you should do what?