Art and Design A comprehensive guide for creative artists - Aaltodoc

Clay storage
container
Pottery wheel
A clean plastic bucket or a strong polythene
bag. All these and more can be used to store
clay safely. Shivers (2010, 144) suggests, “a
wet cloth can be used to cover the stored
clay to retard the loss of moisture. Water
can be added to moist clay if it starts to dry.
Unused clay and finished clay artwork can
be reclaimed by wrapping it in a damp cloth
... clay should be stored in a cool, dry place.”
Nonetheless, you can dig a ditch or trough in
the ground to store prepared clay for future
use.
There are very many types of pottery wheels
and they are made in different sizes. A
creative potter can make a home-made
pottery wheel by using a supporting table
frame fitted with a wooden wheel-head to
be used as a turntable device. Also below, it
should be fitted with a flywheel for kicking.
Rhodes (2004, 42) informs us that “if a fly
wheel is too heavy, it will be hard to get it into
motion by kicking, but if it is too light there
will be insufficient momentum.” In general,
kick wheels do not require electricity to
function.
We can conclude with Peterson et al.'s (2002, 36) observation
about “tools for working” that “water is essential in the
hand building process, but should be used very sparingly.”
This tells us that, well as water is among the fundamental
materials of pottery making—excessive use of water might
cause cracks and breakage of your pottery artwork.
Clay classifications
The physical and chemical properties of individual types
of clay are dependent on its make up or structure. In
Patwardham's (2005) clay classifications, “residual clay is
found in the same place as the rock from which it is formed
... It is purer but less plastic. And, Sedimentary clay is from
silts, which are washed down or blown from higher regions
... it is more plastic because it contains organic materials.”
Undoubtedly, then, residual or primary clays are found
within the same general location as the parent rock from
which they originated. And through processes of surface
weathering, primary clays develop from various types of
decomposed parent rocks.
Consequently, residual clay is made up of larger particles
which make it less plastic than sedimentary clay.
Sedimentary or secondary clay develops from transported
soils. Wind and mainly water or any other natural forces
of weather help to induce the process. Sedimentary clay
is composed of a greater mix of other organic decaying
materials from the earth’s surface. Thereby, it is more plastic
than primary clay.
Mining clay
Clay can be found by sampling holes where earth or soil
has been removed. Such places may include swamps,
gardens, post caves or underground holes, dug compounds or
backyards, basements, road cuts, a well, graves and ditches
et cetera. There is no special technique required by pottery
artists to dig up or mine clay from any available excavation
source.
The most important thing is to identify a clay site. The rest
can be carried out by using our gardening skills, which may
only require using basic tools like a hoe, shovel or spade
and a vessel or container for collecting mined clay a proper
conveyance or transportation.
Digging clay is a tedious process, so go with a friend. Or, it
can be done in a group to share roles accordingly.
As a clay artist, it is important to visit the clay source that
you will be able to acquire the adequate knowledge
about qualities and characteristics of clay. Also, you will
be acquainted with the organic ways clay transpires in the
natural world.
Ultimately, digging your own clay will embrace advantages
and disadvantages to you as a creative pottery artist. Here is
our quick analysis:
Disadvantages of digging your own clay:
• Preparing clay necessitates countless trials especially
if a pottery artist is uncertain of its properties.
• Working with clay will obviously soil or get a
potter's wear and body messy.
• And in many cases, clay sites are far from sculpture
studios. As a consequence, a pottery artist needs
to plan—have enough time to work and complete
each comprehensive clay process.
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