Ceramic 1 Final Study Guide

Primary Clay

Purest form of natural clay. Not moved by wind or water

Rare and often white, it has low plasticity due to having large particles

Primary Clay

Secondary Clay

Clay thats carried away from their point of origin; the clay particles are smaller

More common and dark in color

Secondary Clay

“Ball” clay, earthware, and stoneware

Secondary Clay

Wet Clay (Recyclable)

• Used in studio

• Plastic, soft, workable, easy to shape

Leatherhard (Recyclable)

Clay that has dried enough to not be plastic, it is still damp but too stiff to shape

Bone Dry (Recyclable)

• Clay that has lost all of its moisture and completely dry

• Lighter in color and very fragile

Ready to be fired

Bone Dry

Bisqueware (Not recyclable)

• Clay that has been fired once, it is ready to be glaze

• Porus meaning it can’t hold water

This process can’t be undone, this is a permanent piece

Bisqueware

Bisque fire

Cone 05=1888 degrees

Glazeware (Not recyclable)

Ceramics that have been fired again after it has been glazed

Cone 05 (Not food safe)

We bisque at this temperature, ceramic is still porous

Cone 06 (Not food safe)

Some of our low fire glaze mature at this temperature

Cone 6 (Food safe)

Our clay has matured and vitrified at this point, most of are food safe

Our glaze firings are either

Low fire or mid-range

Low fire

Cone 06, 182 degrees

Mid-range

Cone 5/6, 2118 degrees/2165 degrees F

Wedging

To kneed or mix plastic clay

Steps to Wedging

1. Homogenize clay

2. Remove impurities

3. Remove any air bubbles

Steps to Pinch Pot

1. Wedge clay

2. Pinch bowl

3. Add a coil foot

4. Decorate

Join Clay

1. Score

2. Slip

3. Stick

4. Smooth

Line

The edge of a shape or form or direction by anything in motion

Actual line

A line that is present

Implied line

A line that doesn’t exist but appears present

Shape

Encloses a 2 dimensional area. It is defined by edges

Oraganic

Less defined edges, unpredictable shapes found in nature

Geometric

Edges that are defined, man made, can be measured (math)

Parts of a pot

Mouth, neck, handle, shoulder, body, foot

Non-Functional/ Conceptual Pottery

Does not have an intended purpose but is created purely for its aesthetic qualities

Domestic ware

Ceramic that is for use in the home such as cups, mugs, plates, bowls, and teapots

Functional Pottery

Pottery made for use rather than decoration. It includes domestic ware but also such things as water jars and cooking pots, ring holders, and cake stands

Glaze

1. Silica - glass former

2. Flux - temperature reducer

3. Alimina - stabilizer

Why we glaze?

• Aesthetic beauty

• Strengthen pot

• Functional purposes (waterproofing, easier to clean)

Apply Glazes

• Dipping

• Pouring

• Brushing

• Sponging

• Spraying

Kiln

A structure build to fire clay at high temperatures

What do we fire our clay in?

Electric kiln

Electric kiln

Uses electricity to heat special coils known as elements

Gas kiln

Natural gas used as fuel

Pit Fire

Wood used as fuel

Importance of cleaning

To keep us safe from different hazards

• Slipping

• Inhaling dust

• Dangerous chemicals

• To keep our studio neat and ready for the next group