Clay building techniques
Clay can be used to make a range of ceramic objects.
Pinch pots
Pinch pots are one of the earliest known methods of shaping clay to create a An object designed to have a practical use or purpose form.
Click through the slideshow to see a pinch pot being made:
Image caption, Roll a piece of clay around in the palms of your hands to create a ball
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Pinch pots are a useful way to start a project. Two can be joined together to make a hollow structure which could become the base of a sculpture or coil pot.
Throwing
Throwing is a skilled process and potters use it to An item made in large numbers using factory production methods. functional forms with nearly identical qualities, or as another way to create sculptural forms.
When throwing, the clay needs to be kept wet throughout the process with either water or Dried, broken up clay that is mixed with water. It can be poured into moulds for slip casting or used on scored sections of clay to join pieces together. Thoroughly dried out clay must be used in order for this to break down into a smooth paste., to ensure that hands can move easily over the clay.
Click through the slideshow to see the throwing process:
Image caption, Before using clay on a potter’s wheel it has to be wedged.
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Question
What is the advantage of the throwing method?
It can be used to make nearly identical pieces of pottery.
