Activity 2 - Patterning a Clay Slab
Rationale:
This activity is designed to extend and reinforce the
manipulation of clay, and involves decorating it with free patterns.
Materials: Clay, board, cloth, rolling pin, blunt knife (optional).
Setting: Students have materials in front of them.
Clay may be prepared by the instructor and then rolled into a rough ball shape
approximately the size of a tennis ball.
Sequence:
- Flatten the clay with the palm of an open
hand, to approximately finger thickness.
- Clay may be rolled with a rolling pin
(optional).
- Use fingers to create patterns in the clay.
Scrape fingers over the clay to make lines, push fingers into clay for holes etc.
Encourage student to independently push their fingers into the clay or to make patterns by
dragging their finger across the clay.
- Trim the edges of the clay piece. Scratch
student's name and date into top side of the slab.
- Leave to dry for 10 days, before firing it
in the kiln.
- Paint on the glaze. Let the glaze dry
thoroughly, then glaze fire.
- The completed piece can then be mounted on
wood backing and hung.
Patterned with fingers and
finished with glaze. |
The finished pieces do the artist proud
|
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