Ceramics Final Study GuideImportant Ceramic ConceptsMrs. Daniels

Vocabulary

Leather Hard: Clay that has never been fired and is hard to the touch, but still has moisture.

Greenware: Clay that has never been fired in a kiln.

Bone Dry : Greenware clay that does not have moisture.

Slip: Clay that has water added to it and resembles a paste.

Score and Slip: Scratching the clay and adding a layer of slip to help attach new pieces of clay.

Underglaze: A colored clay slip body that is applied to leather hard greenware before the first firing to add color.

Engobes: They usually have a lower clay content and also can be used on bisque-fired ware. The word slip generally is used to describe any clay in liquid form. All slips and engobes can be colored with oxides, carbonates and stains.

Bisque: Clay that has been fired once at 04 temperature.

Low Fire Temperature: Any temperature firing in a kiln between the range of cone 010-01.

High Fire: Any temperature firing in a kiln between the range of cone 1-10Low Fire: Any temperature kiln firing in the range of 01 - 022

Cone: A pyramid form used in kilns to help determine kiln temperature.

Stilts: Kiln furniture that allows a glazed piece on all sides to float above the shelf preventing the artwork from fusing to the shelf of the kiln.

Earthenware: Red bodied clay.

Stoneware Clay: Clay that can be fired to high fire temperatures.

Slab Roller: Roller on a table that allows large slabs to be rolled.

Centering: Balancing clay on the center of a potter’s wheel to allow a piece to be thrown evenly. Potter’s Wheel: A wheel that rotates allowing a ball of clay to be formed into a thrown vessel.Vessel: A open mouth container that holds something.

Things to Remember:

“Rule of Thumb” Clay must be hollow if thicker than your thumb

Hollow forms must have a pin hole to let air pressure release during firing

Rules of Drying Time: Let your work dry slowly( about 1 week)and cover any fragile additions.

Work can touch in a bisque firing.

Work cannot touch in a glaze firing.

A full kiln fires better than, a half full kiln.

Glazes always should be applied generously with multiple layers.

Never glaze the bottom of ceramic work. It will fuse to the shelf.

Not all glazes are food safe.

Do not apply underglaze or engobe to bone dry clay.

Ceramic Terms of a Cup or Bowl

Lip or mouth

Foot

Liner