Intro to Clay : Art of the Pinch Pot : Glazing

Intro to Clay : Art of the Pinch Pot : Glazing

This was the final production week of our pinch pot workshop for students in grades K-2. Having completed creating mouse families, fish, and nesting birds, we spent our last session focusing on color and design.

Materials Needed

Fired clay projects (mice, fish, and birds in nests)
Low fire non-toxic glazes in a variety of colors
Brushes, various sizes
Shallow cardboard boxes, one for each student

1. Each week in this course, we looked at various artists' interpretations of mice, fish, and birds. Creatures were made in a variety of media and we explored the ways color was used to add interest to the work, whether to make the animal in a more realistic looking way or something more based on fantasy and imagination.

2. I gave a brief demo on using glazes and to avoid wasting any, we set up glazing stations around the room. Each of the five tables had 2 colors of glaze, 4-6 brushes of different sizes for each color, and a little clay biscuit that showed how the fired version of that particular glaze looked. This helped students get a better idea of how their color choices might look after their projects went through one last firing.

3. Each student had a shallow cardboard box holding all three of their projects, which they carried from station to station, adding their favorite colors. Emphasis was on layering glazes to create richer color and also using tiny brushes to add patterns such as dots or stripes onto base layers of glaze.

Work will be fired again and next week, the students will curate their own work for a group show. Tune in next week to see the final results.

Intro to Clay : The Art of the Pinch Pot : Birds in Nests

Nesting Bird

This was week 3 of a 4 week clay workshop for students in Kindergarten, first and second grades. We used the pinch pot techniques we've used the previous two weeks as a starting point and focused on making birds in nests.

Once again, local artist Tina Preece worked with us as we made our birds.

Intro to Clay : The Art of the Pinch Pot : Birds in Nests

Materials Needed
Sketchbooks
Pencils
Clay (we used low fire white)
Clay tools
Fabric mats
Water

1. We looked at various artists' interpretations of birds made from a variety of media and discussed things like the type of bird, materials used, decorative techniques and use of color.
 

Bird sculptures by various artists

2. Students spent a few minutes drawing birds in their sketchbooks to consider ideas for their sculptures.

Sketching Birds

 3. I did a brief demo on ways to create the bird and nest shapes. The clay was divided before class (a great time saver) into 4 oz (about 115 grams) balls. For the nest, they used one ball and made a pinch pot shape, pulling and shaping it into either a round nest or an elongated version. Modeling tools were handy in making twig and branch impressions on the outside of the nests.

4. A second ball was used for the bird. Students divided that ball into smaller shapes, reserving some for making eggs and worms. Birds were formed either by squeezing one piece into a complete bird, or by making separate head, wing, and tail shapes and adding to the main body shape, remembering to score and attach firmly, using a bit of water. Again, modeling tools were used to scratch in feather shapes and surface texture and details.

5. Lastly, eggs and worms were added to the insides of the nests.  Clay was set aside to dry and will later be fired.

Intro to Clay 1 : The art of the pinch pot : Fish

Making Pinch Pot Fish

This is week 2 of a 4 week clay workshop for students in Kindergarten, first and second grades. We used the pinch pot techniques we learned last week as a starting point and ventured off into creating fish.

This week, we were fortunate to have local artist Tina Preece working with us. Tina does extraordinary things with clay in the areas of sculpture and pottery, and we were glad she was with us to share her expertise.

Intro to Clay : The Art of the Pinch Pot : Fabulous Fish!

Materials Needed
Sketchbooks
Pencils
Clay (we used low fire white)
Clay tools
Fabric mats
Water

Fish Sculptures we viewed to get ideas

 1. We looked at fish sculptures made by various artists and discussed materials used, texture, facial expression, and use of details to add interest.

2. Students spent a few minutes drawing fish in their sketchbooks.

3. I did a brief demo, reviewing pinch pot techniques we covered last week. Each artist received a 4 oz ball of low fire white clay. We popped our thumbs into the center of the clay and made pinch pots, making sure the walls of the pot were about the same thickness as our pinky fingers.

4. Flipping the pot upside down, we adjusted it into a fish body shape. Options included leaving it somewhat round, or creating a longer, skinnier fish by gently pulling on the clay to lengthen.

5. Each student received a second ball of clay, 2 oz in size. They pinched this off into smaller bits to create tails, dorsal fins, side fins, and eyes. Each new shape added to the fish body was scored with tools, moistened with water, and firmly attached to the main body shape.

6. For the final step, they used their modeling tools to add scales and other textural markings. All pieces will be fired and later glazed.

The final sculptures.