For Grade 10 DGHS ceramics module

1. CLAY TECHNIQUES
Reason behind wedging!!!! (WHY?)
•In the wedging process, clay is repeatedly kneaded on a porous surface to draw some
of the water out while distributing the moisture evenly, eliminating hard spots in the
clay.
• In the process, air bubbles are forced out of the clay, ensuring that these bubbles will
not heat and cause the clay to explode in the kiln.
•Properly wedged clay is very smooth, with an even texture which is easy and pleasant
to work with.
•People can also set clay up for specific tasks while they wedge, as for instance in the
case of a conical wedge of clay which is ideally suited to working on the wheel. Wedging
can also be used to blend multiple types of clay, ensuring that the clay is thoroughly and
evenly worked so that there are no patches and pockets of a particular type of clay.
•Potters who work with recycled and reclaimed clay often take special care over their
wedging to confirm that the clay has been properly prepared.
.

2. Wedging…
http://www.wisegeek.com/in-ceramics-what-is-wedging.htm

3. CLAY TECHNIQUES
wedging!!!! (WHERE?)
Setting up a good space for wedging is critical. ....
. A counter or block is needed to work the clay on, and it
should be positioned at a comfortable height for kneading
the clay.
Tables often work very well for this, although unusually tall
or short people may need to find a more adjustable surface
so that they can wedge without straining their
arms, shoulders, and backs.
In a pottery studio, a wedging table may have a slab of
basalt, concrete, or similarly porous material so that clay can
be worked directly on the surface, but a canvas sheet can
also be used for wedging

4. CLAY TECHNIQUES
wedging!!!! (HOW?????)
Everyone wedges slightly differently, but the goal is to knead and work the clay into
a smooth mass. Some people slam the clay during the wedging process, while
others prefer to create a churning motion with their hands which keeps the clay in
. constant rotation to press the air bubbles out. People who bake bread often wedge
.
clay just like they knead.
Some people utilize a technique known as wire wedging, in which the clay is cut,
stacked, and slammed against the table several times, with this process being
repeated several times to thoroughly blend the clay.
People who have just started to wedge clay may want to begin with two different
colored pieces of clay and wedge them together. This will allow for frequent checks
on the wedging process, as the mixture of colors will be a visual indicator of their
progress. Once people get familiar with the texture and feel of wedged clay, they
can work with a single color of clay.

6. Note the rocking motion and lack of air bubbles after the clay
has been cut with a nylon string…

7. Modeling tools are used for sculpting, carving, blending, texturing,
cutting and poking. Clay can also be rolled(rolling pin) and molded.
The modeling tools are what help create the piece of art work.

8. Here are some
modeling tools
Rolling pin- used to
roll out thin layers of Clay extruding gun- used
clay. for pushing out certain
shapes or making strings of
clay.
Rubber stamps-
Clay knives- used to used for
cut and clean. texture.

10. Texture is the feel of the surface related to your
sense of touch. You get many different types of
textures and we get these textures by imprinting
things into the clay.
For clay you even get special stamps that you press
into the clay. You can also get texture by carving the
clay.
Some special ways to create texture in clay are:
Slip trailing
Stamping
Sgraffito

11. Above are some textures that have either been pressed in or
carved out. The different textures create an interesting piece of
work.

12. Joining clay “scratch and slip”
Method: make scratches in the surfaces that you will be sticking
together. Then add slip to these “scratched” surfaces (like a glue) the final
step is to press the two pieces of clay together.

13. Modeling tools
Tools are used to define and print patterns into
your clay for a design effect. They can also be
used for carving out shapes or for modeling and
molding.