Clay
Working with Clay
As an
Artist’s Medium
Back to ISTE Standards
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The History of Clay
Ceramics and pottery is and art form older than all
others, except basketry. Prehistoric people probably
put clay into their baskets to help them hold better.
When someone put that basket into the fire, they
discovered clay became hard when fired (heated).
From that time, ceramic sculpture and pots have
been discovered in most cultures around the world.
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Types of Clay
There are three major pottery types
Earthenware
Stoneware
Porcelain
There are many types of clay. We are going to use white
earthenware. When fired, this clay will turn from gray to
white.
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What can you do with clay?
Clay can be pinched, coiled, flattened and
wheel thrown to create pots and sculpture.
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Manipulating Clay
• Pinch- to squeeze the • Coil- to roll the clay
sides of the clay into a rope and connect
together the coils to build the
sides of the artwork
• SlaB- to flatten the
clay into an even slab • Wheel Thrown- to
use the pottery wheel to
“throw” a form
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How to Manipulate Clay
• Wedging- Pushing all the air bubbles out of the clay. Before
manipulating any type of clay, you must wedge it. If you do not wedge
your clay, the air that is trapped will expand in the heat of the kiln and
create holes or cracks.
• Score- Scratching the surface of clay before attaching two pieces
together.
• Slip- Placing water or watery clay on the scored area before
connecting the two pieces.
Once the pieces are connected, the clay must be pressed
together gently to form a solid bond.
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The 4 Stages of Clay
• Leather HarD- Most of the moisture from the clay has
been evaporated and you still may carve (incise) or join
pieces.
• Greenware- Unfired clay objects.
• Bisqueware- The clay has been fired one time in the
kiln. You can no longer change the shape.
• Glazeware- Finished artwork. The clay has been
covered in a silica (glass) based liquid and has been fired
again.
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Hints and Tips
• Wedge! Wedge! Wedge! This will ensure no air
bubbles will ruin your or other’s work.
• Cover work at the end of the day to prevent it from drying
out too quickly.
• Take your time.
• Wipe off all finger marks and smooth all edges.
• Carve your name into the bottom with a pencil.
• Do not use too much water.
• When joining pieces Score & Slip!
• Allow clay to be clay. It will not be perfect.
• Expect the clay to shrink 10%.
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Creating a Pinch Pot
1) Begin with a ball of
clay. Push your thumb
into the center. Then pinch
up the walls.
2) Turn the piece as you
pinch. This will help you
to keep an even thickness
in the walls of the piece.
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3) Gently pat the bottom on a
flat surface to create a flat
spot on the bottom of the
piece.
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Creating a Coil Pot
1) Squeezing the clay into a coil
or rolling between your hands
are two ways to make
coils. This technique can be
difficult to make a smooth
round coil because of the
uneven pressure from your
hands and fingers
2) When hand rolling coils, use a
smooth surface and spreading
your hands to apply even
pressure. Gently roll the clay
back and forth.
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3) Roll the coils so that they
are a little thicker than a
pencil. Then stack the coils
one on top of another.
4) For strength, force the clay
together on the inside of the
piece. Use you finger and
scrape the top coil onto the
coil under it
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5) When smoothing the
inside of the piece hold you
other hand on the outside
so you do not damage what
you have completed
already.
6) If you want the top level,
gently turn your piece over
and lightly tap it on a
smooth surface.
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7) When you are finished
with your piece let it dry
slowly. The grooves in the
piece are weak spots and if
this dries too quick it will
crack.
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Finish and Clean up
• Clean up finger marks and • Do not put clay in the
smooth edges. sink!
• Check that your name is • Rinse your hands in the
on the bottom of your piece. water bucket prior to
washing them in the sink.
• Cover your work with
newspaper to ensure it • Clean up your work
won’t dry too fast. station.
• BACK TO ISTE
STANDARDS
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