Ceramics materials and tools - OCRTools and materials

Learn about ceramics as a medium for creating sculptures and functional objects. Find out about the different types of clay and their uses and the tools, materials and processes used to make objects out of clay.

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Tools and materials

Tools

Clay tools lined up on a table
There are many tools that can help to shape clay

There are many different ceramics tools. Experimenting with a variety of them is important.

Click through the slideshow for examples of some tools used in ceramics:

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  1. A pair of hands cutting a block of clay with a wire

    Cheese wire is used to slice up lumps of clay

Other tools include:

  • A natural sponge can be used for wetting clay while throwing
  • Kidneys come in different sizes and materials. Smooth ones are used for blending and smoothing coils, joins or surfaces and serrated ones have a jagged edge for creating texture or shaving down uneven surfaces.
  • Potter’s knives are used for cutting slabs, tiles, coils and decorative pieces
  • Hole cutting tools are needed to make functional holes and also to add decorative effects
  • Brushes are used for decorating and painting on glazes, oxides and slip
  • A banding wheel (or a turntable or whirler) is used to turn clay work around so different sides can be worked on
  • Rolling pins and guide sticks are used to roll out slabs of clay to even thickness
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Firing process
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