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| Morris Pottery Hand-building Sculpture |
My first sculpture was a fish ,
executed in home made play
dough, while sitting on my
mom's lap. I've always loved
sculpting, I had two horse
sculptures from kid art classes
that never got fired, because of
course, they were constructed
of solid lumps of clay. I have
worked in production potteries
for 25 years, so I developed my
construction methods so that
pieces could be fired in
whatever kiln , clay, and
glazing methods were available
at the time.
Number one the piece has to
be hollow. My rule of thumb IS
one thumb!! I never make
anything thicker than that of
my thumb.
I am not a patient person and
trying to figure out armatures,
or supports for the clay just
didn't appeal to me, so I
adapted pinch, coil and carving
methods to suit my needs. I
have used many other
methods too, and plan to
show you all the ways to
create sculptures of your own !
executed in home made play
dough, while sitting on my
mom's lap. I've always loved
sculpting, I had two horse
sculptures from kid art classes
that never got fired, because of
course, they were constructed
of solid lumps of clay. I have
worked in production potteries
for 25 years, so I developed my
construction methods so that
pieces could be fired in
whatever kiln , clay, and
glazing methods were available
at the time.
Number one the piece has to
be hollow. My rule of thumb IS
one thumb!! I never make
anything thicker than that of
my thumb.
I am not a patient person and
trying to figure out armatures,
or supports for the clay just
didn't appeal to me, so I
adapted pinch, coil and carving
methods to suit my needs. I
have used many other
methods too, and plan to
show you all the ways to
create sculptures of your own !
| Making a Hen with the coil method |
| I realize I may use some terms that a new beginner might not understand. I am arranging a glossary that you can reach by clicking on the highlighted word. Until then, feel free to email me with any questions you might have! |
I do not roll my coils out, I squeeze
them , and I like a clay body that is
relatively firm stiffer say than a
potter might use as a throwing
consistency. I don't need smooth
coils, and I can get any air pockets
out in one easy step. a note on air
pockets, I use clay right out of a bag
that has been de-aired in a pug mill.
When using recycled clay or hand
mixed clay, the wedging process is
used to work up the clay.
them , and I like a clay body that is
relatively firm stiffer say than a
potter might use as a throwing
consistency. I don't need smooth
coils, and I can get any air pockets
out in one easy step. a note on air
pockets, I use clay right out of a bag
that has been de-aired in a pug mill.
When using recycled clay or hand
mixed clay, the wedging process is
used to work up the clay.
Slipping and scoring is an important
step in any coil or slab construction.
You can use a tool like a kitchen
fork,or a bamboo skewer to score
both surfaces. Slip is a watered
down mix of the clay you are using.
It helps form a bond when you
attach additional pieces. Small
amounts of water can also be used
Slipping and scoring is especially
important when using the stiffer
clay that I prefer.
step in any coil or slab construction.
You can use a tool like a kitchen
fork,or a bamboo skewer to score
both surfaces. Slip is a watered
down mix of the clay you are using.
It helps form a bond when you
attach additional pieces. Small
amounts of water can also be used
Slipping and scoring is especially
important when using the stiffer
clay that I prefer.
After the coil is stacked on, a
smoothing process is begun. I use
my fingers and thumb to smooth the
coils together. This thins out the wall
that is forming, and if you are not
careful at this point your top will start
spreading out. I take a tip from the
throwers, and use equal pressure on
both sides, after all, this is just like
throwing in slow motion. I always
have a form in mind when I start out
the basic shape of a chicken starts
out as an egg shape. As I pinch and
form the clay I can add the various
features like wings and tail.
The very bottom coil stays its
original thickness, while the rest of
the clay wall thins as I reach the top.
After adding one or two coils, I set
the piece aside and let the clay firm
up a little bit. This helps keep the
form stable as you build it up. I
usually have two or three going at
this stage.
Okay that is all the pictures I have
right now, I need to decorate some
pottery in the shop and I will continue
this lesson later!
smoothing process is begun. I use
my fingers and thumb to smooth the
coils together. This thins out the wall
that is forming, and if you are not
careful at this point your top will start
spreading out. I take a tip from the
throwers, and use equal pressure on
both sides, after all, this is just like
throwing in slow motion. I always
have a form in mind when I start out
the basic shape of a chicken starts
out as an egg shape. As I pinch and
form the clay I can add the various
features like wings and tail.
The very bottom coil stays its
original thickness, while the rest of
the clay wall thins as I reach the top.
After adding one or two coils, I set
the piece aside and let the clay firm
up a little bit. This helps keep the
form stable as you build it up. I
usually have two or three going at
this stage.
Okay that is all the pictures I have
right now, I need to decorate some
pottery in the shop and I will continue
this lesson later!
Copyright 2005 Morris Pottery,
DSMorris
DSMorris