Unit 1 -Pinch Modelling and Clay Basics
Lesson 1

You have learned the following basic principles in working with clay:

  • work on a fabric covered surface.  Use an old t-shirt or bed sheet to cover the table surface, so that your clay won’t stick as you work with it and so that you can keep the clay moist by keeping the fabric wet
  • wedge your clay at least 30 times before modelling it.  Clay contain air pockets which will explode in the kiln if they remain inside the clay.  Wedging forces the air pockets out.  Do not fold the clay when wedging it.
  • pinch and model your clay gradually, smoothing out the cracks as you go.  The cracks form when the clay is expanded too abruptly.  Avoid using water to smooth the clay.
  • Strive for thin clay works, however thin is also very difficult.  Most important is even thickness throughout your work.

In class you will make a pinch pot.  The criteria for a good pinch pot is the following:

  1. smooth, even thickness, thin walls
  2. smooth lip, absent of cracks
  3. flat bottom
  4. texture imprinted on the walls
  5. name carved into the bottom

Homework assignment:        SPHERE PROJECT:

This project involves the design of a sculpture whose primary, base form is a sphere, yet its finished form is well beyond or well outside a sphere form.  The purpose of this project is to:

  • teach you the basics of joining clay
  • promote creative, “outside the box” thinking
  • elaborate the techniques of pinch sculpting

Step 1: You are to draw 4 different design ideas for this project in your sketchbook.  This is the brainstorming stage of designing good artworks.  Get as elaborate and different as you can.  The more different your 4 sketches are the better.

Step 2: Make 2 round pinchpots that have exactly the same diameter rim on them. Scratch the rim of each and rub some water on this rim, then join the 2 pots together to make a sphere, squishing them tightly and firmly.

Step 3: Smooth the outer surface of the sphere and tap it lightly on the table to make it as spherical as you can.

Step 4: Wrap your sphere in plastic so that no air can get at the clay.  DO NOT SPRAY IT WITH WATER!  Water breaks down clay.

 

Tune in to the class on TEAMS on Wednesday at 12:00 for a lesson on the next steps of this assignment.

Step 5: You now need to turn your sphere into a sculpture that is creative and interesting.  Be sure that your sculpture design is interesting from ALL DIRECTIONS! not just from the front!  This is a sculpture, not a painting!

Please watch this video on how to attach pieces of clay to your sphere:

Step 6: Be sure the EVERY SINGLE PIECE is scratched, slipped, and blended on so that it will not fall off when it is dry.  The clay will know if you did it right or not.  It will not let you get away with forgetting.

Step 7: Build your sculpture to a finished state.  Make it look awesome.  Give it lots of details.

Step 8: sign your name somewhere a little bit hidden by carving your name into the clay.

Step 9: Find a box, plate, or pail to put your sculpture in to safely carry it to school.

Step 10: Wrap your sculpture in plastic so that NO AIR can get into it or out of it.

BRING YOUR COMPLETED SCULPTURE TO SCHOOL for our next class.