Art and Design A comprehensive guide for creative artists - Aaltodoc

e. Slaking clay is done by putting dry unfired clay in a
container carrying water to dissolve and turn into a
semi liquid mixture or slip. It is from here that a pottery
artist will turn the loosened clay back into a slightly
wet compact mass for use in the course of throwing
or hand building. Sometimes slaked clay is used for
making surface coating and decorations on pottery,
when it is at a creamy state or consistency also known
as slip.
f. Kneading is a method of preparing clay with hands.
It is carefully done by pressing, folding, stretching
messaging and squeezing clay to form a uniform
mixture before throwing or taking it for any other clay
actions. Kneading also allows clay to attain an even or
uniform wetness and dryness. After kneading, clay will
turn it into a plastic mass with a uniform consistency,
texture and plasticity.
g. Wedging clay removes unwanted air pockets and it
helps clay to integrate its particles. The actions and
process of wedging can be done on a clean surface of
a table, bench and on the floor. Where by, clay can be
hit with a stick or it can be wedged by slapping it down
on a hard surface. Then, cut it to check for remaining
air pockets. Peterson et al. (2003, 31) assert, “Techniques
of wedging vary from bread-kneading methods ... to
cutting on a wire and slapping the pieces together.”
Nevertheless, wedging clay requires working with small
quantities of clay for easy lifting—up high above the
head then down to make a pound in order to remove
air bubbles.
In this final analysis we acknowledge that wedging and
kneading can act together. Rhode (2004, 7) affirms, “Cutting
and wedging are usually followed by kneading or spiral
wedging. In kneading, the clay is again formed into a loaf,
which is then manipulated by hands and especially the
heels of the hands to make it roll into itself in a form like
a jelly roll ... The kneaded rolls tends to get longer and
longer and at a certain point it is upended and the process
repeated ... The method of kneading does not involve
picking the clay up off the table ... it requires relatively little
effort.” Ultimately, ready clay has either got to be properly
kneaded or wedged for proper workable consistencies.
Also for the duration of these processes unwanted
impurities can be removed once a potter discovers them.
Proper Storage will prevent clay from getting
contaminated, unforeseen drying and safe from thieves.
Hence, a storage place must be able to store clay for a very
long time. It should be kept clean and dry. For example, a
sizeable plastic bag or a lidded plastic bucket.
According to Webbo (1996, 60), “select a position in a cool
place such as the banana plantation or under a tree shade
... the earth is mostly cool there, hence it can keep clay soft
and moist.” During storage, check the conditions of clay
day-to-day to make sure that it still contains the necessary
moisture content. Other than that to prevent loss of
moisture, “make a trough in the ground big enough to hold
the amount of clay at hand. Line the walls as well as the
floor of the trough with leaves. For example banana leaves.
Arrange the clay balls properly in the trough. Cover the clay
balls with a thick layer of leaves then, replace earth and
leave it until when you need to use the clay.” (Webbo 1996,
60) Remember, preparing clay is tedious.
Techniques of hand building
As Müller (2007, 58) has asserted, “Hand building is a great
way to get to know the properties of clay ... you will quickly
become familiar with degrees of plasticity and feel the
leather-hand clay ... Some people prefer working with hand
building techniques because they are so many possibilities
... In fact, many ceramic artists work with hand building or a
combination of wheel and hand building.”
As a consequence, learners should be given a chance
to experiment with each of the available hand building
techniques. For examples thumb digging, coiling, slab, ball/
pallets and scoop building. In spite of that, it takes a while for
a creative artist to perfect a single specified technique.
Here is a review of how techniques of hand building can be
used to make pottery artworks:
1. Pinch building is a very old method; it is carried out
with actions of fingers, a thumb and hands inserted
into solid clay to create a hollow shape. Rogers (1986, 9)
says, “Pinch building is just to hold a lump of clay in one
hand and then ... push a hole into it with the fingers or
thumb of the other hand to form a hollow container, a
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