CERAMICS

CLAY SLABplatter

CLAY SLABplatter

CLAYCLAY

Mud; moist, sticky dirt. In ceramics, clay is fine-

grained,firm earthy material that is plastic when wet, brittle when dry, and very hard when heated.

Mud; moist, sticky dirt. In ceramics, clay is fine-

grained,firm earthy material that is plastic when wet, brittle when dry, and very hard when heated.

The most common types of ceramic clays are:

The most common types of ceramic clays are:

earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain.

earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain.

EarthenwareEarthenware

Earthenware is a low-fire clay that is porous and not waterproof.

It can be made waterproof by glazing it.

You will use earthenware clay to roll out a slab and create a ceramic plate.

Earthenware is a low-fire clay that is porous and not waterproof.

It can be made waterproof by glazing it.

You will use earthenware clay to roll out a slab and create a ceramic plate.

Clay SlabClay Slab

You will be given a ball of clay and and a plate template.

Use your palms to flatten clay into a 1 inch thick circular clay slab.

You will be given a ball of clay and and a plate template.

Use your palms to flatten clay into a 1 inch thick circular clay slab.

Clay SlabClay Slab

Keeping the slab circular, use a rolling pin to even the surface.

Keeping the slab circular, use a rolling pin to even the surface.

Clay PlatterClay Platter

When the slab is large enough, lay the plate template upside-down on the clay slab. Keeping the clay on the plate, flip the plate so it is right side up.

When the slab is large enough, lay the plate template upside-down on the clay slab. Keeping the clay on the plate, flip the plate so it is right side up.

Clay PlatterClay Platter Use finger tips to gently mold and

smooth the clay into the shape of the plate.

Use a tool to cut access clay from around edge and smooth.

A small clay “snake” may be added to the outside edge

Use finger tips to gently mold and smooth the clay into the shape of the plate.

Use a tool to cut access clay from around edge and smooth.

A small clay “snake” may be added to the outside edge

Leather-hardLeather-hard

This is the first stage of drying. There is still moisture in the clay, but it is just dry enough to hold its shape and not “slump” This stage of drying is called leather-hard. The clay can be taken from the template at this stage.

This is the first stage of drying. There is still moisture in the clay, but it is just dry enough to hold its shape and not “slump” This stage of drying is called leather-hard. The clay can be taken from the template at this stage.

Bone DryBone Dry

When finished, your greenware plate needs to be thoroughly dry before it can be fired.

This stage of drying is called bone dry.

When finished, your greenware plate needs to be thoroughly dry before it can be fired.

This stage of drying is called bone dry.

Greenware - BisqueGreenware - Bisque Fired clay is

called Bisque ware

Fired clay is called Bisque ware

Unfired clayIs called Green ware

FiringFiring

Clay is hardened by heating it to a high temperature, thus fusing the clay particles. Temperature in kilns can reach 2500 degrees.

Clay is hardened by heating it to a high temperature, thus fusing the clay particles. Temperature in kilns can reach 2500 degrees.

GlazeGlaze

The bisque clay plate is now ready to be glazed.

Glaze is a coating of material applied to ceramics that forms a glass-like surface when fired a second time.

The bisque clay plate is now ready to be glazed.

Glaze is a coating of material applied to ceramics that forms a glass-like surface when fired a second time.