THE PLAN
- Wedge clay
- Form a head shape
- Make eye sockets
- Shape nose
- Form a mouth
- Form eyes and eyebrows
- Finishing touches
I fired the piece but did not glaze it. I wanted to leave the face with a natural, stone-like feel.
This was my first time working with clay. It was much harder than I thought to form and shape clay. I enjoyed the process, even though I was frustrated sometimes with my lack of skill. The face reminds me of the gargoyles on the buildings in Oxford, England.
FACE
SMALL PIECE WITH UNDERGLAZE
The Plan
- wedge clay
- used a plate mold to create the piece
- chose underglaze colors
- using a small paintbrush I free-handed a design
I enjoyed using the plate mold but did not know how to use the underglaze. It was much thinner than I expected and the colors were not as bold as I had hoped, so I did not like how the plate turned out design wise.
THE STAMP
THE PLAN
- Wedge clay
- Form a cylinder
- Flatten one end for stamp design
- Carved out heart design
The process of making the stamp was hard and I didn't enjoy the experience. If I were to do the same stamp project again I would choose a different design. The stamp was lost in the ceramic chaos.
UNIT TWO
PINCH POT CUT IN HALF
THE PLAN
- Wedge clay
- Pinch into shape
- Form pot
- Use clay cutter to cut pot into two
Going into this project I thought it would be easy but I am still working on my technique to form and smooth the clay. It was satisfying using the clay cutter to slice down through the clay pot.
PINCH POT MADE INTO SOMETHING USEFUL
THE PLAN
- Wedge clay
- Pinch clay into pot shape
- Smooth and shape
- Glaze
I am still finding using clay more challenging than I thought it would be. I have an image in my mind of how I want something to look, then feel frustrated when it doesn't turn out exactly how I wanted it too. I was pleased with this pinch pot, but the glaze color did not come out how I wanted it too. I was happy to be able to take the piece home and use it.
DOUBLE PINCH POTS
HISTORICALLY INSPIRED PIECE
THE PLAN
- Wedge clay
- Pinch into shape
- Shape into open clam shell
- Add detail and texture
- Glaze
I found this to be a very difficult process. It was a new technique and I found it challenging. This piece was dropped just after I added the detail and texture of the shell, so I did not get a final photograph. I was disappointed I wasn't able to glaze and fire this piece, it was going to be a jewelry dish.
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THE PLAN
- Wedge clay
- Use plate mold
- Smooth plate and edges
- Choose glaze
- Paint design
I was inspired by the blue and white pottery from China from the 14th century. The designs from this type of pottery are more detailed and intricate than my piece. I enjoyed the process of making this plate and was pleased with how the glaze color turned out. If I made this piece again I would try and paint a finer, more detailed pattern on the plate.