ceramics textbook
table of contents:
-clay stages and rules
-who makes ceramic art
-how to prepare clay for use
-how ceramics are made
-surface textures and finishes
-where to see ceramics or take a class outside of school
Nitza Walesca
teacher: Ms. Fitzpatrick
click: 'Slideshow' above
clay stages &
techniques
Understanding
each stage will help you succeed
with clay
(liquid clay)
(moist & malleable)
(damp, yet fragile)
(very fragile)
(vitrified)
(vitrified)
contemporary ceramic work
Ceramics have been made since the earliest human societies began.
Contemporary ceramic vessel by Philadelphia artist, Roberto Lugo.
Italian inkstand from 1505 AD
Roberto Lugo is a Philadelphia ceramicist.
He was recognized as the Ceramicist of the Year in 2017. His work in displayed in museums around the world. Lugo is an artist/activist. His work is considered fine art, while also functional.
Roberto Lugo uses a variety of ceramic traditional & contemporary techniques. He teaches at Temple U.
Bodine students met Roberto Lugo at an art opening at the Clay Studio in 2023.
Teresa Chang is a production potter living in Philadelphia.
Utilitarian objects are usually considered craft, rather than fine art. Ms. Chang uses a pottery wheel to make her work.
Kenesha Sneed is a ceramic artist and illustrator in Los Angeles.
is an Egyptian ceramicist known for his vases, who also makes mosaic-like decorative work.
Beatrice Wood became famous in the early 20th century. At that time it was rare for women artists to get any recognition. She died in 1998.
Ceramic work can be created by handbuilding.
Handbuilt work is constructed from pinching, kurinuki, coiling, or slabs.
resource with techniques
Pinch wedged clay to form a hollow pot or sculpture. All clay forms must be hollow and no thicker than your thumb. If any air is trapped in your work it will explode in the kiln. While your clay work is still damp, use a needle tool to puncture thick areas or remove air bubbles. You won't be able to do this when your piece is dry.
Combine pinch pots to make other forms. Slip and score clay pieces to attach them together.
pinch pot
This subtractive technique is used to make chawan as well as anything else you choose.
Roughly cut chunks of clay off a piece of wedged clay, remembering that your work must be hollow and no thicker than your finger. Use wabi sabi as you balance beauty and chance.
kurinuki
Score and slip (scratch to attach) must be done in order to connect pieces. Dampen and scratch the areas to be connected. Press and wiggle to ensure the connection.
Slip cups and toothbrushes are stored on a shelf. Add water as needed. Never dump or rinse clay cups or sponges in the sink - the goo acts like glue and will clog the plumbing.
Do not leave sponges in the slip cups because the sponge & the slip will get very smelly.
Using damp wedged clay is best. Make several coils of even thickness before assembly. Score/slip.
Make your pot sturdy by smoothing the coils together on the inside or outside of your work.
Coiling - use wedged clay, slip, scoring tool, smoothing tool, plastic wrap
This is a beginner’s coil pot.
The pot on the far right was made after a period of purposeful practice.
The only way you will gain skill with clay is to practice.
^ ^ ^
'A' work
Ceramics takes practice
slab method tools needed: a rolling pin, canvas and 2 sticks (are stored in the ceramics tool closet)
rib, sponge, needle tool, your template(s), slip, plastic wrap, board or bat, etc.
When constructing using slabs, cut all your parts, then allow them to stiffen a bit, before beveling and assembling your object.
Place newspaper between each piece, and wrap with plastic until next time.
Place 2 sticks of the same thickness on either side for
uniform thickness
Roll out the clay on canvas. After each pass, flip the slab
so your clay stretches evenly.
Smooth your slab with a rib.
If you are using a drape mold, place a sheet of plastic in the mold before the clay.
Mass produced ceramics are made from a mold or on a pottery wheel.
Most dishes used at home today are made in factories from molds. Wheel thrown work is called pottery.
surface textures and finishes
Clay is a tactile 3D media. Surface texture is important to the success of your pieces. Texture can be additive or subtractive. Use sponges and ribs to smooth and other tools to sculpt texture. Coils can be braided, turned, flattened, and more. Use score and slip technique to attach pieces together. We have lots of texture making materials. Experimentation teaches you skills to create texture that best expresses your intentions. Learn from work you see around you and from our ceramics resources.
texture
Make a paper template that you trace repeatedly onto the clay and cut out. Or, make & attach sculpted forms.
rolling pin & sticks for making slabs paper template slip w brush sponges plastic wrap to prevent clay from drying & work on a board
wedged clay
wrapped for
future use
scraper
brayer for rolling
small slabs &
flattening coils
wooden & plastic assorted ribs
modeling tools
scrapers &
ribs to make tool box
texture & scoring
wedged clay
canvas table cover
needle tool,
banding wheel with newspaper clay coil wire tool ribbon or loop tools fettling knife & knives fork for stirring glaze rasps for shaving
under the work cutting clay for sgraffito & carving for cutting & trimming
CLAY TOOLS
Use your sketchbook to: sketch work you research, your ideas and plans, write about your process, list underglazes and glazes you use, write down feedback, and to reflect. The ceramics resource has tutorials, inspiration, and more information you need for this class.
Use underglaze on greenware to add color decoration. Apply to leatherhard work.
Color charts show how the color will look after bisque firing. Always read labels. Do not confuse underglaze (used on greenware) with glaze (used on bisqueware).
Cover your table with newspaper. After thorough mixing, dip a clean brush directly into the jar. Use a separate brush for each color. If needed, add water and stir well with a fork. When finished, clean brushes and table, secure the cap and put away. Once fired, rinse dust off the work, let dry, then apply clear or transparent glaze. Images from left to right: sgraffito technique - apply underglaze, then use a loop tool to scratch away a design. The blue image is a torn newspaper stencil.
underglaze
Glaze will become clear or colored, transparent or opaque, matt or glossy.
Read the label - some glazes are not food-safe. Consult the color charts - the end result looks nothing like the unfired glaze in the jar. Use a clean brush for each jar. Do not mix glazes. Do not glaze the bottom of your work or it will fuse to the kiln shelf when fired.
Place work ready to be fired on shelves marked "ready to fire." Write down the glazes you use.
Thoroughly wash hands, brushes, tools, and work surface when finished using glaze or underglaze.
glaze
Glaze bisque-fired work to finish your piece.
Completed, resolved, well-crafted work can be fired in our kiln.
Firing vitrifies the clay (and it cannot be recycled any more). Work is fired twice. The first firing is the bisque firing and the second is the glaze firing. Each firing take 2 days. We use low fire clay which is fired at around 1800° F.
To save resources, practice work and work that is not well crafted is recycled.
the kiln
Our kiln looks like this one.
Kilns cost thousands of dollars.
It gets so hot that the work inside glows red.
set up and clean up
preparing clay
You can reclaim and recycle unfired clay over and over again. See below.
nearly completed wedged clay:
When it's clean up time, put your work and supplies away, then clean tables & sweep the floor.
* CAUTION: Clay dust should not be breathed in. Work to prevent clay dust from becoming airborne. Students with severe asthma should wear a mask in Ceramics class.
Work with your tablemates to clean up the clay on the floor and tables.
Clean up must be thorough because clay dust can trigger asthma attacks.
Do not put any clay in the sink.
Pre-wash hands, or anything w/ clay on it, in a bucket of water.
These water buckets will collect clay & prevent it from going down the drain. The clay settles to the bottom of buckets. Later, clear water will be poured off and the clay at the bottom will be thrown in the trash.
Clay particles clog pipes.
Clay dust clogs lungs.
Clean up responsibly!
thoroughly wash hands and rags in a bucket before using the sink
want to learn more?
The Clay Studio is a ceramics school and gallery in Philadelphia. Started by a group of ceramicists in the 1970s, The Clay Studio is on 1425 N. American Street (very close to Bodine!). Visit for free to see contemporary ceramics and sign up for classes there. For more info on ceramics classes see this map.
MORE Tutorials
MAKING MUG HANDLES https://photos.app.goo.gl/R8ybYHkjsuVe4foy7