Texture Excitement

In class last Wednesday we were discussing texture. I found another great video from Hobby Potter. At the beginning of the video she discusses the objects she likes to use for texture. In our classroom many students have their own favorite random items they like to use.  We have all found that that kitchen tools are very helpful. I love to use a fork to add rough texture. I also use a fork when I am scoring and slipping a piece that is larger. A few students in my class love to go to estate sales to find mysterious texture tools. Garage sales and theft stores are amazing sources when looking for random texture tools.  

In the Hobby Potter video, she speaks about how she is not the biggest fan of doilies for texture. Personally, I like the doilies she is referring to in the video. Two students in my class are currently working on projects that are incorporating the texture that the doilies create. Each student made their pieces completely different. One student has a small plate with one whole doily showing. The other student has a large bowl with overlapping doilies. There is no wrong answer when it comes to texture. Texture shows a person’s style, so get creative.

When adding texture keep in mind what you will be trimming off. You will lose some of the texture. Carefully lay the clay on top of the mold making sure it is centered. If you press lightly on the clay when adding the texture you run a higher risk of losing the texture.  Once you have it on the mold, cut and remove all remaining clay.

In only nine minutes the inspiration to create a textured art piece was very informative and creative. With the step by step instruction was easily understandable. 

Glazing Refresh

Professor Deanna Clyne 

I am going to walk you through the journey of glaze. This week in class we went over the different types of glazes we use in the studio. After the pot is completely dry it is ready to be bisque fired. Once it is bisque fired it is ready for the application of glaze. Every professor has their own recipes for glazes and rules. Our professor went over the rules with us on Wednesday. Get all of the pieces you will be glazing for the day, brushes, newspapers, wax resist, glazes, stir sticks, sponges, and a cup of water. Lay out the newspaper on the table space you are working on, and set up your station.  Once your station is all set up, wipe all of your pieces down with a damp sponge. We do this to remove any dust, and clean the surface for the glaze to adhere to. Work all of your pieces like any assembly line. Next is the wax resist to the bottom of your pieces. This is so no glaze sticks to the kiln shelf, which is a horrible thing! Open the glaze container and stir; you will continue to stir for a long time. The glaze should be the same consistency all the way around. That is when you will know when you are done stirring. Glaze can be applied by several methods but I prefer to dip my pieces into a container of glaze. Next, using dipping tongs the piece is totally submerged in glaze, lifted out and site aside until it dries. I typically count about six seconds. Where I put the wax resist there will be no glaze.  I then clean up my pieces and set in the kiln room for my professor to load in the kiln.

Wheel Throwing Cups

In this video from Hobbypotter is a great demonstration on how to trim a cup, add a handle, and construct a cup. I used this video to show the whole process in making a cup. There are around four steps to constructing a cup. The first step which you will see in the second part of the video is centering the clay. The clay must be centered to move on to the next steps. For me I can tell if I am centered by my body not being pulled in any direction it is at peace, or hence the word centered. The next step is opening up the cup to get the shape, usually done with two fingers or a sponge. When opening the clay stay within where you centered, do not open further then where you centered. Compressing the floor is the third step which happens in this video fast. It is when she has her hands in the center of the cup moving back and forth. This is a very key spot because it makes the bottom of the cup level. It also states where the floor starts and the walls begin. You will see her starting to pull up on the sides, this is the last step to get the height of the cup.