Clay

Clay

A Crash Course of Preparation and Procedure

for working with Clay

What is Clay?

• Decomposed igneous rock.• Picks up bacteria and other

particles as it travels.• The more impurities it has the

more plasticity it has• Plasticity: the ability to be

shaped while still holding it’s form

Safety in the studio:

• Wear protective clothing• Capture clay dust with water• Don’t eat while in the studio• Wear a dust mask when dealing

with dry clay• Use tools CAREFULLY.

How to Prepare Clay

• Clay must be kneaded to remove air bubbles (so it doesn’t explode) and create consistency.

• Keep clay moist but not wet (with use of water and by wrapping unused clay with plastic). Too wet and the clay will stick and disintegrate, too dry and it will not be workable.

Procedure: Things to Remember when Working with Clay• Keep clay wrapped in plastic

when you are not working with it or until you are ready for it to dry.

• Your hands will dry out the clay and the clay will dry out your hands.

• Clay shrinks as it dries and when it is fired.

Decoration (just a few basics)• Apliqué: to add clay to clay

(score/slip/weld)• Incise: to carve into clay (not

drawing)• Pierce: to cut into clay to create

negative space• Sgraffito: to brush on slip of a

different color and then incise a design so that the clay body shows through

Tools

Metal Flexible RibSmall Ribbon ToolRibbon Tool

Wooden Rib

Potter’s NeedleModeling ToolWireloop Tool

Rolling Pin

Guide Stick

Wooden Bat

Paddle

X-Acto knifeStylistBanding Wheel