Ceramics 1

Week 9

Patting/paddling

Hitting seam gently with a wooden tool

Reinforces joins toStrengthen the joined

area! Realigns clay

particles in one direction

Creates textures

5 Reasons Why Clay Becomes Bone Dry at Different Rates

1. Humidity clay dries faster in drier locations like Arizona than in Wisconsin

2.    Thickness

Thin walls dry faster than thick walls

3. Surface Area

The more exposed surface area the faster the surface will dry

Projections and appendages dry faster than the main pot

4. Air Movement

The side of the project that faces a breeze will dry first

5. Overall Size of the Form

Large pots dry slower than small ones

Force Drying

Placing a wet piece in the sun, under heat lamps, using a hairdryer, or heating vent to dry the piece quickly.

1st Reason to Avoid Force Drying

1.  Pieces drying unevenly will appear dry but firing the piece will cause it to explode.

2nd Reason to Avoid Force Drying

When clay dries quickly it causes stress cracks and pieces can fall apart

3rd Reason to Avoid Force Drying

When surface area dries too quickly it shrinks more quickly than the clay beneath causing the piece to warp.

Air Dry Rack

Drying rack that has shelves made so that air can reach all surfaces of the clay as it dries. Pots dry from the top down so turn pots upside-down on rack

Re-softening Leather Hard Clay

For clay that is slightly too hard but can be dented with gentle fingernail pressure

1.  Wrap project with a damp paper towel

2.  Place wrapped project into a plastic bag

3.  Wait overnight for moisture to be absorbed

Symbols

Codes, patterns, and designs that represent reality using a general or simplified image

Creative Problem Solving Skill Doodle

Begin by making a mark on your paper (or on your pot) and work from the mark. It's like jumper cables for your brain…it gets your creative juices pumping.

Paul Klee

“A line is a dot out for a stroll.”

Henri Matisse

“I am simply conscious of the forces I am using and I am driven on by an idea that I really only grasp as it grows with the picture.”