CERAMICS

CLAY TILES in

Bas Relief

CLAY TILES in

Bas Relief

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 carve a ceramic tile using your name or initial.

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 carve a ceramic tile using your name or initial.

Leather-hardLeather-hard

Your clay tile must dry slightly before you carve into it.

This stage of drying is called leather-hard. There is still moisture in the clay, but it is just dry enough to hold its shape and not “slump”

Your clay tile must dry slightly before you carve into it.

This stage of drying is called leather-hard. There is still moisture in the clay, but it is just dry enough to hold its shape and not “slump”

Clay SlabClay Slab

First plan on newsprint. Begin by drawing a frame around

the edge of the paper. Draw the letter large within the

frame. Keep it simple. You will be able to

add texture later for interest.

First plan on newsprint. Begin by drawing a frame around

the edge of the paper. Draw the letter large within the

frame. Keep it simple. You will be able to

add texture later for interest.

Clay SlabClay Slab

You will be given a 1/2 inch thick clay slab, and a template. Use a clay tool and the tile template to cut your slab tile 6 inches square.

You will be given a 1/2 inch thick clay slab, and a template. Use a clay tool and the tile template to cut your slab tile 6 inches square.

Clay SlabClay Slab

Be careful when handling the clay slab.

Clay has a memory, so keep it flat. This helps the “warp factor” when it is time to air dry the tile.

Be careful when handling the clay slab.

Clay has a memory, so keep it flat. This helps the “warp factor” when it is time to air dry the tile.

Clay TileClay Tile

Use a tool to draw your design LIGHTLY into the leather-hard clay tile. Begin with a frame around the outside edge. Draw your letter large within this frame.

Use a tool to draw your design LIGHTLY into the leather-hard clay tile. Begin with a frame around the outside edge. Draw your letter large within this frame.

Bas Relief sculptureBas Relief sculpture

With a tool, begin carving out the negative space. The remaining positive space projects from the background.

This type of carving is called bas relief sculpture.

With a tool, begin carving out the negative space. The remaining positive space projects from the background.

This type of carving is called bas relief sculpture.

Bas Relief SculptureBas Relief Sculpture

Bas relief is a French term meaning "low-raised work." This art, along with high relief, is known collectively as relief sculpture --

This sculpture is meant to be seen primarily from one direction -- as opposed to sculpture which is in the round

Bas relief is a French term meaning "low-raised work." This art, along with high relief, is known collectively as relief sculpture --

This sculpture is meant to be seen primarily from one direction -- as opposed to sculpture which is in the round

Bas Relief sculptureBas Relief sculpture

TextureTexture

When finished, decide where you want to add texture.

You may use the small texturing object in the baskets on the counter.

The texture adds interest to your simple design.

When finished, decide where you want to add texture.

You may use the small texturing object in the baskets on the counter.

The texture adds interest to your simple design.

Bone DryBone Dry

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

This stage of drying is called bone dry.

When finished, your greenware tile 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 bisqueware.

Fired clay is called bisqueware.

Unfired clayIs called Greenware

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 tile 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 tile 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.