Clay Vocabulary

Ceramics- Objects that are made of clay and fired in a kiln are ceramic

Plastic- soft and easily shaped

Subtractive process - Carving or removing clay to create small details, patterns, or textures

Additive process - joining pieces of clay together

Ceramics Project Objectives: Learn about the clay process: sculptural techniques science of firing clay the history of ceramics decorating clay objects

Ceramic objects can be functional (useful)

Or functional and decorative

…………or just decorative

We are going to make a container that has a lid

Today 1. make a drawing of your

container 2. Make templates of every side

Clay Vocabulary

• Leather hard-the condition of clay that is partially dry. Leather hard clay can be carved and connected with slip

• Slip- a mixture of clay and water that is used to connect pieces of clay

• Bone dry- Clay that is completely dry. Clay must be bone dry before it can be fired.

Carving leather hard clay

Art 1 Vocabulary

• Greenware- clay that is dry and ready to be fired

• Bisqueware- Clay that has been fired, but not glazed

• Firing- The process of heating clay to very high temperatures (1800-2300 degrees)

The earliest method of firing clay was pit firing. The clay was

buried under pieces of wood

The fire was allowed to cool down slowly, so that the clay pieces wouldn’t crack.

Then they were washed and decorated.

The Beehive Kiln was invented next. Having a separate firebox underneath the clay pieces allowed for more even heat distribution, and

fewer pieces would break

Most kilns today are either gas or electric

Vocabulary • Glaze-

• A thin, glassy coating that is used to decorate and protect ceramic objects.

• -apply 3 coats

- Let dry completely between coats

• -no glaze on the base (where it will touch the shelf)

• - do not mix colors

Clay Project

Self Evaluation

1. I created a container………………………………………………………………………………………………… (20 pts.) _____

2. The container has a lid that fits securely……………………………………………………………………(20 pts.) _____

3. The container is well constructed and all parts are connected securely with slip……… (20 pts) _____

4. The areas that are supposed to be smooth ARE smooth. The textured areas

are neatly done and they enhance (improve) the look of the container……………….. (20 pts.) _____

5. My container is original, inventive and creative. I have added enough

detail to make it interesting to look at…………………………………………………………………. (20 pts.) _____

Total……………. (100 pts.) _____

Rules for Using Clay • DO NOT throw clay!

• Do not drop it on the floor

• Do not take it out of the classroom

• DO clean up your area at the end of class

• Do return the tools at the end of class

• Be careful with the clay tools! They are sharp!