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Week 6 - Wheel time!
The pottery wheels came out this week and the first set of students got the chance to get their hand
For the rest of the month students will be working on their tic-tac-toe boards. The goal is to get them to the kiln for firing so we can glaze them in November. Now that everyone is in the swing of things and are able to self-start, the pottery wheels have been brought out.
Students will be working in groups of 2 or 3 and each group will get 3-4 opportunities to work on the pottery wheel over the next few months. If, after the second attempt, a student can choose to NOT participate in the wheel-time any further. Not everyone enjoys the experience and enjoy hand-building instead.
Week 5 - CLEANING UP CLAY
Aprons!
Cleaning up ceramic clay
Cleaning up ceramic clay
It is time for students to look for an apron to use in class, specifically for this class. There is no way to avoid getting messy. The best materials for clay aprons are canvas or waterproof/resistant fabric. Students typically do not enjoy the waterproof or vinyl aprons that you find when searching for aprons online.
An alternative is to use an old mens button up shirt. Buttons make it easy to put over clothing. It would be better if the shirt is made of a slightly thicker material, minimizing the wetness from soaking it quickly.
The ultimate goal is keeping our clothes clean for the rest of the school day!
We have an apron/smock rack in the classroom so students can store their aprons. Clay aprons are used only for clay classes and will not be used by other classes.
Cleaning up ceramic clay
Cleaning up ceramic clay
Cleaning up ceramic clay
Clay is a natural resource that breaks down into fine particles. These particles settle and then thicken. Clay cannot be cleaned up in the sink or washing machine as the clay particles settle and clog pipes, creating costly damage. We avoid this in class by cleaning up in the following ways:
Hands/Tools - rinse in 5 gallon rinse bucket before washing in sink. We are able to reclaim the clay in the rinse bucket after a few months.
Clothing - wipe off with a damp rag to get rid of splash-back. Aprons are needed to keep our clothes clean for the rest of the school day.
Aprons - wipe at the end of class with a damp sponge or rag to get rid of the bulk of the clay and leave to dry. the bulk of the clay and then wash like usual. Every so often they get laundered. Wet clean-up is best for clay.
Rags and Towels
Cleaning up ceramic clay
Rags and Towels
Clay is very very messy! And we are definitely going to be getting messy. Students are able to rinse off as frequently as they need in our 5-galloon rinse bucket of water. We use the same water for a period of time before I demonstrate how to reclaim clay.
We also use tubs/basins on water on the tables for our hands & tools. Needless to say students are constantly having to dry themselves & their tools off. Paper towels are simply not a viable option. We do have some rags in the classroom but these also get used in the painting classes...it's best not to use.
Students are advised to add a small hand towel to their supplies.
If you have any old towels laying about that you are willing to donate to the class we would be happy for them! I launder the rags/towels once or twice a month as needed.
BEGINNING THE GAME BOARDS - ROLLING SLABS
Rolling clay by hand
Rolling clay with a Slab Roller
Rolling clay with a Slab Roller
Using a rolling pin and rolling guides made out of wood, students are able to roll slabs of clay that is uniform in thickness. The wood rolling guides are different thicknesses, ranging from 1mm to 1 inch.
Many potters prefer the rolling method due to the additional steps needed to use a slab roller. And in some cases, it takes 2 people!
Rolling clay with a Slab Roller
Rolling clay with a Slab Roller
Rolling clay with a Slab Roller
Using a slab roller to roll out sheets of clay CAN be an easier way to go about it. Using boards of different thicknesses and a canvas long enough to wrap over the clay, students insert the boards through the rollers and crank the handle to pass all the way through. The boards are then removed and the clay inspected & flipped as necessary to avoid sticking.
Preparing the game boards
Rolling clay with a Slab Roller
Preparing the game boards
Students will be using a variety of game-board designs. One way to make the board is to roll two slabs out: one for the base and one for the dividers. Students would then score the clay and add slip before pressing them together.
I prefer to make indentions with my fingers, or roll out little coils to add on top. All depends on the design students selected
WEEK 4 - time to play in clay!
Wet-boxes are COMPLETE
We took our wet-boxes outside to scrap down the plaster bits from the sides of our box and clean them up. Students then sanded and smoothed the edges of their plaster boards with a metal rib and scrubbing pad. This prevents plaster flakes from chipping off/falling into the clay.
Our wet-boxes are now ready to use as we move forward! Students are able to store their supplies inside their boxes as well, leaving them securely at school if desired. These wet-boxes also make it easier for students to transport work to/from home.
THE KILN IS ON! Texture stamps & name tiles coming up next
All of the texture stamps that students have been working on are now at the studio undergoing a bisque fire in the kiln. Students will get the opportunity to see how they turned out next class. Stamps are something that can be made at anytime and will continue to be made throughout the year by everyone. Students should continue to keep an eye out for interesting textures at home.
TIC-TAC-TOE Game Board Design
Finally, we discussed our various ideas about the tic-tac-toe boards. There were some pretty cool ideas!
- Frogs on a lily pad
- Lucky charms cereal
- UNO cards
- Shells & Starfish on sandy shore
- The famous PAC Man game
Check out some of the examples below!
Some students began working on their game pieces. We decided to wait until next class to begin the game boards so Mrs. Erin had time to roll slabs out prior to next class - to make rolling everything thin & even much, much easier. There are a few students who wish to give it a go as rolling it by hand.
Week 2 - boxes, textures & stamps
Mix & pour plaster for wet boxes
Today students had the opportunity to observe me demonstrate how to make a wet box out of the lidded tote they were required to get. Wet boxes are wonderful because they help keep the clay ware workable from week-to-week, and safe from other students/classes. Students had to measure and mix the plaster, in the correct 2:1 ratio, that was then poured into the their totes. The boxes had to be knocked gently to release bubbles, sides wiped down to prevent sticking, and set on a level surface to set-up and harden. I pulled the tote inside later in the day and put them away for next week.
Name stamps
We didn't quite have enough time to begin working on our texture stamps, so we went ahead and made name stamps with alphabet pasta. Fingers crossed we got the letters in the right direction. :)
Textures for stamps - take a look around the house
I brought in a few stamps and rollers that I have been making for the class. Rubber stamps make great textures on our clay stamps. But other unusual items make great texture stamps. Rope, lace, patterned fabric & surfaces, shoe tread, buttons and more! Possibilities are limitless. So over the next few weeks, take a look around the house and see what kind of objects & surfaces you can find. Bring them with you next week and we will make stamps. Don't worry, these things will not be messed up and will be returned same-day.
Students will have a better understanding of the different ways to make stamps and find textures after next week's class. We will also be going over the concept design for their tic-tac-toe boards. We will begin those game boards when we return from break.
Week 1 - intro to the year & supplies
Medium tote for a wet-box (keeping clay wet & workable)
Medium tote for a wet-box (keeping clay wet & workable)
Medium tote for a wet-box (keeping clay wet & workable)
Clay class will be working in several different clay types: Ceramic, Air-dry & Polymer. We will start the year with ceramics and learning how to work with this type of medium. Students are in charge of starting to collect their supplies to build their supply of tools. We will first be mixing and pouring our wet boxes, so be sure to gran a medium-sized tote with clasping handles/secure lid.
Clay tools (for all clay types)
Medium tote for a wet-box (keeping clay wet & workable)
Medium tote for a wet-box (keeping clay wet & workable)
Students are responsible for acquiring and maintaining their own tools. Above is an example of a good set available on Amazon. We will be added small things to it as we go, like a small jar and a fine-mist spray bottle. I will always have supplies on hand, but not always what is needed. The class supplies are mostly shared across all art classes at Inspire, so it is safest to make sure the tools are ready to use.