Ceramic Construction:Pinch Method

Fresh Clay

Save back a piece for attachments or decorations.

Form the clay into a ball using both of your hands.

Stick in your thumb to make a hole.

Support the clay in the palm of one hand. Use the thumb

and fingers of your other hand to widen the hole. Form a simple bowl.

The walls of the bowl should be “uniform.” That means that the walls should have the same thickness

on the top as they do on the bottom.

The walls should be no thinner than your “pinkie” finger.

…and no thicker than your “pointer” finger.

If you don’t want your bowl to be rounded on the bottom, gently tap the bowl on the table.

If you want the sides to be smooth,gently roll the sides on a smooth and dry part of the table.

If you want the top to be even,gently tap the top on the table.

When you are satisfied with your form, add extras.

You can make a flat piece by “patty-caking” a piece of clay between your two hands.

You can cut new shapes by cutting your “slab” with a paper clip.

“Slip and score” the two pieces you want to attach.

Add a tiny bit of extra clay, then “blend” the two parts using your finger or a smooth blending tool.

Anything that has texture can be used to create decoration.This is an ordinary comb.

A garlic press can be used to create hair-like strings of clay.

When you have the clay as long as you like, cut it off using a paper clip.

“Slip and score” the pieces you want to stay attached.

Clay this thin is almost certain to break off.

Pressing the clay closer to the main form and grouping the tiny pieces will make it stronger.

These pieces are irregular.

Rolling them between your two palms can turn them into round eyes.

This ordinary pencil is creating a pupil.

Feel free to use exaggeration.“Slip and score” the pieces you want to stay attached.

Paper clips can be used to cut in designs also.

Mouth

Hands

Fingers

Arms

Keep adding to your formuntil you are satisfied.

Don’t neglect the back. Sculpture is 3-D.

The back is important.

Legs

Tail

Texture

More texture.

Creating texture with cloth.

Almost the end.

The end. Use a pen to write your name and class number on the bottom.

Do this every day. Initials are never enough.