CERAMICS(for beginning sculptors)

CERAMIC vocab: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

CLAY

KILN

WEDGING

MODELING TOOLS

PINCH

POT

SCORE

SLIP

FIRE Term used when turning on a kiln to get up to temperature to change clay particles into a ceramic form.

KILNS

ELECTRIC KILN

GETS UP TO 1800°

GAS KILN

GETS UP TO 2800°

WOOD FIRE KILN

GETS UP TO 2000°

CERAMIC vocab:

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

CLAY

KILN

WEDGING

MODELING TOOLS

PINCH

POT

SCORE

SLIP

FIRE

A way of improving the workability of the clay by making it consistent and even in texture while eliminating the air bubbles.

Term used when turning on a kiln to get up to temperature to change clay particles into a ceramic form.

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

WEDGING CLAY

SCORE & SLIP

CERAMIC vocab: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

CLAY

KILN

WEDGING

MODELING TOOLS

PINCH

POT

SCORE

SLIP

FIRE

A way of improving the workability of the clay by making it consistent and even in texture while eliminating the air bubbles.

Term used when turning on a kiln to get up to temperature to change clay particles into a ceramic form.

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

MODELING TOOLS

CERAMIC vocab: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

CLAY

KILN

WEDGING

MODELING TOOLS

PINCH

POT

SCORE

SLIP

FIRE

A way of improving the workability of the clay by making it consistent and even in texture while eliminating the air bubbles.

Term used when turning on a kiln to get up to temperature to change clay particles into a ceramic form.

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.

PINCH POT CONSTRUCTION

1ST

2ND

3RD

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.

Turn the piece as you pinch up the side walls. Try to keep an even thickness as you rotate and pinch the clay.

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.

CERAMIC vocab:

The method of rolling out long tubes of clay and attaching them together to form pottery.

COIL METHOD

SLAB METHOD

HUMP MOLD

11. 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.

CERAMIC vocab:

The method of rolling out long tubes of clay and attaching them together to form pottery.

The method of rolling out clay into a broad, flat, piece that can be placed over a mold to create a form.

COIL METHOD

SLAB METHOD

HUMP MOLD

The method of draping a slab of clay over a convex form to shape and form it.

SLAB

HUMP MOLD

Clay StagesSLIP—LIQUID

A creamy liquid made with clay and water used to join pieces of clay

together.

PLASTIC—MALLEABLE The stage of clay where it is still

moldable. It can be shaped or manipulated without tearing or

breaking.

LEATHERHARD—STRONG/DAMP/COLDClay 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—FRAGILEStage of drying when moisture in the

clay has COMPLETELY evaporated. The clay is at room temperature.

Clay

that

hasn’t

been

fired

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.

Ten Golden Rules1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Clay can be NO THICKER than your thumb. RULE OF THUMB!

4. In order for clay to stick together it MUST be scored and slipped together while the clay is moist or leatherhard.

5. Wedge clay to remove air bubbles to achieve uniform consistency and to line up the particles of clay.

6. 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.

7. WRITE YOUR NAME OR INITIALS AND DATE YOUR PIECE IN AN INCONSPICUOUS AREA.

8. 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.

9. NEVER HANDLE ANOTHER STUDENT’S PIECE NO MATTER WHAT!

10.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!