After learning how to solve problems with our art we had some time to make sculptures. The first thing we did was a working with clay 101 where we learned what a free standing sculpture is, what a relief sculpture is, what a linocut is, what a slab is, and how to wedge and pinch our clay. We then had a trial and error day to see what kind of sculpture we wanted to make. I chose to make a pinch pot. Before I go into how I made my pinch pot and why I chose to make a pinch pot let me explain how to use clay. The most important thing when working with clay is to keep the clay pliable. You can do this by spritzing your hands with water every time they start to feel dry.
The first thing you have to do when working with clay is to wedge the clay. Wedging happens when you knead the clay and get all of the air bubbles out, this will prevent it from exploding in the kiln. When you think you're done kneading cut the clay open and check for air bubbles, if there are still some in there keep kneading until they are all gone.
When making a pinch pot you have to decide on whether you want to combine two pinch pots or just do one. All bowls and various vases are one pinch pot, but you can make two pinch pots into any animal. If you're doing two do the same thing as if you were making one pinch pot, but do it twice. I chose to do one pinch pot so that's what I'll talk about. The first thing you're going to do is roll your clay into a ball, then take your thumb and press it into the center the the ball. Make sure that your thumb doesn't go all the way through because this is the new opening to your pinch pot. Next take your thumb and pointer finger and open up your pot a little more, while you're doing this you can use your other fingers to help shape the pot. After this you can decorate your pinch pot however you like.
If you want to attach two pieces of clay (for example two pinch pots) your have to score and slip them. If you don't do this the clay will come apart in the kiln. To score and slip your clay you first have to rough up the sides of the clay that you're attaching. You do this by taking any clay tool and making little slits on your clay. It doesn't really matter what technique you use as long as when you are done there are tiny particles of clay sticking up. Do this to both pieces you're attaching and only do it on the side that you're attaching. After scoring the clay you need to get the clay wet. You do this by wetting your fingertips and lightly patting them over the clay that you've scored and slipped. After doing this to both pieces you're ready to attach them.
Reminders About Clay
When storing your clay wrap your piece in damp paper towels and seal it up in a plastic bag.
- Always keep your clay pliable
- If your piece is hollow put a vent in it
- Make sure you clay is free of air bubbles
When storing your clay wrap your piece in damp paper towels and seal it up in a plastic bag.
For my project I chose to make a pinch pot because I thought it would be fun to make, and hopefully the easiest. It turns out that pinch pots are a little harder to make than I thought they would be. My first attempts looked nothing like I wanted them to. They were misshaped, deformed, and looked nothing like the bowl I was trying to make. I originally wanted to make a shallow bowl to hold some of my rings and other various jewelry, but abandoned that idea when I discovered a better idea. I was going to make a candle holder, I would cut our shapes in the clay to let the light shine through, and color the outside lighter than the outside to give it depth. After struggling for quite a bit on shaping my bowl I asked for help and could finally see my idea coming together. After this I cut out different shapes and poked holes in the clay to let the light shine through. Then all I had to do was wait and pray that it didn't explode in the kiln. Luckily it didn't, and the next week I was presented with the cutest little candle holder. Now all I had to do was paint it. I decided on a dark plum color for the inside and a lavender color for the outside. All in all I'm very proud of how my first clay creation turned out and I love that we took time to do this unit.