CERAMICS

1. CERAMICS CLAY SLAB platter

2. CLAY • 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.

3. The most common types of ceramic clays are: • earthenware, • stoneware, and • porcelain.

4. Earthenware • 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.

5. 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.

6. Clay Slab • Keeping the slab circular, use a rolling pin to even the surface.

7. Clay 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.

8. Clay 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

9. Leather-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.

10. 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.

11. Greenware - Bisque • Unfired clay • Is called Green ware • Fired clay is called Bisque ware

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

13. Glaze • 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.