Transcript POTTERY VOCABULARY - Alhambra Hs Ceramics

CLAY VOCABULARY
Clay Body
 It is possible to work with the clay
as it comes from the earth,
however it will not posses certain
characteristics such as color,
plasticity, strength, or fired density.
By mixing two or more clays and
adding other materials, these
effects can be produced in what is
called a clay body.
STAGES OF CLAY
There are 3 stages:
1.Wet
2.Leather Hard
3.Bone Dry
Greenware
Any pottery that has not
been bisque fired. The
clay could be wet, leather
hard, or bone dry.
Greenware-all stages of unfired clay
Leather hard
Clay has begun to dry
out and can no longer
be formed or molded
but the surface can
easily be carved
Leatherhard-can ‘t
continue to remold
but effective carving at this stage
Bone Dry
Clay that has been
completely air dried
and is ready to go to
the first firing
(bisque)
Bone Dry-very brittle at this stage, ready
for the bisque fire
Firing the Clay
There are two firings:
1.Bisque
2.Glaze
Bisque Firing
The first firing, without
over glaze. However
colored under glazes
(slips) may be applied to
the greenware and then
bisque fired.
Bisque firing-load bone dry clay
Glaze Firing
The final firing,
with overglaze.
Glazeware:
to be unloaded
finished glaze firing; ready
PREPARING the CLAY
Wedging
Kneading the clay in
order to expel air and
homogenize the clay.
Wedging
Scoring
 Scoring clay is the method potters
use to adhere two pieces of clay
together. Simply use any pointed
clay tool to make X shaped marks
into the clay where you will be
adhering another piece. This
roughs up the surface area of the
clay, which is needed for a good
adhesion.
Scoring
Slip
Slip is another name for clay
glue. Slip is simply wet
sticky clay. Slip can be
applied by a paint brush or
simply your finger. Do not
use just water.
Slip
BUILDING TECHNIQUES
PINCH
Pinching the clay with
your fingers to shape
it.
Pinch Pot
To make a pinch pot begin with a ball of
clay. Push your thumb into the center,
and then pinch up the walls. Turn the
piece as you pinch. This will help you
keep the walls of the piece at an even
thickness. Lightly push the bottom of the
pot on a flat surface to create a flat spot
that it will rest on when finished.
Pinch Pot
Coil Pots
 COILS: rope-like strands of clay
 Layered one upon another to create the walls of
the pot. Smooth coils or leave some coils
exposed.
Coil Pot
Coil Pot - Examples
Slab Building
 SLAB: Rolled out flat pieces of clay
Slab Boxes
DECORATIVE TECHNIQUES
Sgraffito
 SGRAFFITO: This is a decorating
technique where a colored slip is
applied to a leather-hard piece of
clay and left to dry. Once the slip
is dry a variety of different tools
are used to carve into the clay to
remove the slip and leave an
embedded decoration behind.
Sgraffito
Mishima
A Japanese decorating
method of filling a
design impressed or
carved into the clay
with a different
colored slip.
Mishima: Comparison Example
Sgraffito
on the
Left
Mishima
on the
Right
Crazing

The fine network of small
cracks that occurs on
glazes. The Japanese
encourage crazing and
will stain cracks with
concentrated tea.
Crazing
CLAY TOOLS
Pin/ Needle Tool
 Used for trimming while on the
wheel and for scoring/cutting clay.
Wire Cutters
Used to cut large pieces
of clay
Loop Tools
Perfect for carving and
trimming.
Modeling Tools
 Used for shaping and detailing
the clay
Ribs
shapes and smooths pots as
they are being formed