Month: November 2016

 

During class we worked with leatherhard slabs and built them into a box. It was an activity that we had to do with our table. Collaboration was obviously a huge part in this project. We all had individual jobs, and put together the box came out successfully. We all had to give each other feedback to make sure everything was correctly placed and we were doing our jobs correctly. It worked out pretty easily and we all got our jobs done.

We worked with new tools as well. We used the bevel wire for the first time, which cuts the slab at a 45 degree angle. We also worked with sur-form, which smoothens out the clay. The tool looks similar to a cheese grater, and it’s important that you make sure all of the clay is out of the holes and not clogged up so the next person can use it.

For this project we were introduced to a new tool: the paddle. We haven’t used this tool in class until we were assigned this project. It was surprisingly effective. It smoothed and rounded our “potato” forms.

We also learned a new art-making skill: creating the potato itself. It’s started by creating two basic pinch pots. You then use a serrated-edge scraper to score the lips of the pots. You then put them together, smoothing the crease with your thumb. If needed, you can make a thin coil of clay and insert it into the crease between the two pots to make it more even. Finally, you use a paddle to smoothen and define the shape of the form.