1. CERAMICS CLAY TILES in Bas Relief CLAY TILES in Bas Relief

2. CLAY  Mud; moist, sticky dirt.  In ceramics, clay is fine- grained,firm earthy material that is plastic when wet, brittle when dry, and very hard when heated.  Mud; moist, sticky dirt.  In ceramics, clay is fine- grained,firm earthy material that is plastic when wet, brittle when dry, and very hard when heated.

3. The most common types of ceramic clays are:  earthenware,  stoneware, and  porcelain.  earthenware,  stoneware, and  porcelain.

4. Earthenware  Earthenware is a low-fire clay that is porous and not waterproof.  It can be made waterproof by glazing it.  You will use earthenware clay to carve a ceramic tile using your name or initial.  Earthenware is a low-fire clay that is porous and not waterproof.  It can be made waterproof by glazing it.  You will use earthenware clay to carve a ceramic tile using your name or initial.

5. Leather-hard Your clay tile must dry slightly before you carve into it. This stage of drying is called leather- hard. There is still moisture in the clay, but it is just dry enough to hold its shape and not “ slump ” Your clay tile must dry slightly before you carve into it. This stage of drying is called leather- hard. There is still moisture in the clay, but it is just dry enough to hold its shape and not “ slump ”

6. Clay Slab  First plan on newsprint.  Begin by drawing a frame around the edge of the paper.  Draw the letter large within the frame.  Keep it simple. You will be able to add texture later for interest.  First plan on newsprint.  Begin by drawing a frame around the edge of the paper.  Draw the letter large within the frame.  Keep it simple. You will be able to add texture later for interest.

7. Clay Slab  You will be given a 1/2 inch thick clay slab, and a template. Use a clay tool and the tile template to cut your slab tile 6 inches square.

8. Clay Slab  Be careful when handling the clay slab.  Clay has a memory, so keep it flat. This helps the “ warp factor ” when it is time to air dry the tile.  Be careful when handling the clay slab.  Clay has a memory, so keep it flat. This helps the “ warp factor ” when it is time to air dry the tile.

9. Clay Tile  Use a tool to draw your design LIGHTLY into the leather-hard clay tile. Begin with a frame around the outside edge. Draw your letter large within this frame.

10. Bas Relief sculpture  With a tool, begin carving out the negative space. The remaining positive space projects from the background.  This type of carving is called bas relief sculpture.  With a tool, begin carving out the negative space. The remaining positive space projects from the background.  This type of carving is called bas relief sculpture.

11. Bas Relief Sculpture  Bas relief is a French term meaning "low-raised work." This art, along with high relief, is known collectively as relief sculpture --  This sculpture is meant to be seen primarily from one direction -- as opposed to sculpture which is in the round  Bas relief is a French term meaning "low-raised work." This art, along with high relief, is known collectively as relief sculpture --  This sculpture is meant to be seen primarily from one direction -- as opposed to sculpture which is in the round

12. Bas Relief sculpture

13. Texture  When finished, decide where you want to add texture.  You may use the small texturing object in the baskets on the counter.  The texture adds interest to your simple design.  When finished, decide where you want to add texture.  You may use the small texturing object in the baskets on the counter.  The texture adds interest to your simple design.

14. Bone Dry  When finished, your greenware tile needs to be thoroughly dry before it can be fired.  This stage of drying is called bone dry.  When finished, your greenware tile needs to be thoroughly dry before it can be fired.  This stage of drying is called bone dry.

15. Greenware - Bisque  Fired clay is called bisqueware.  Unfired clay  Is called Greenware

16. Firing  Clay is hardened by heating it to a high temperature, thus fusing the clay particles. Temperature in kilns can reach 2500 degrees.

17. Glaze  The bisque clay tile is now ready to be glazed.  Glaze is a coating of material applied to ceramics that forms a glass-like surface when fired a second time.  The bisque clay tile is now ready to be glazed.  Glaze is a coating of material applied to ceramics that forms a glass-like surface when fired a second time.