Ceramics
This page displays my introductory ceramic projects using four basic construction techniques: (1) pinch pot, (2) coil, (3) slab, and (4) throwing on the wheel. Detailed explanations of the techniques are available in John Hester's Potter Tutorial - A Beginners' Guide to the Art of Ceramics website. Most of the works have been completed at Pasadena City College and at East Los Angeles College taught by Professor Carlos Ramirez and Professor Christopher J. Turk.
Any question? Please email me: [email protected]
The Brush Holder and Ink Fountain Project
Pinch Pot Construction
Pinching has been used to build the base of this Brush Holder and Ink Fountain. With pinching, you can mold clay into objects such as flower petals or a bowl. Pinching is the very basic technique of ceramic construction.
Pinching has been used to build the base of this Brush Holder and Ink Fountain. With pinching, you can mold clay into objects such as flower petals or a bowl. Pinching is the very basic technique of ceramic construction.
The Peony Vase Project
The objective of this project is to use the coil construction method to build three vessels with different heights (8 inches, 10 inches and 12 inches respectively), using natural forms drawing reference from fruits, vegetables, fishes or other living creatures, in terms of shapes and textures. The vessels should reflect the contrasts and harmonies between positive and negative spaces, fine and coarse textures, rectilinear and curved lines, symmetry and asymmetry, visual and physical balance or imbalance, geometric and free-flow forms, shapes and patterns. I met the above objectives by creating three vessels with reference to the shapes of the leaves and petals of a peony flower. To be more specific
- I create holes in some areas of the vessels to represent the contrast and harmony between positive and negative spaces;
- I create different textures in different areas of the vessels to imitate the natural textures of the petals of the peony flower and of its leaves to represent the contrast and harmony between fine and coarse textures.
- In the vessels, from some angles, the leaf-shapes seem to be symmetrical while from other angles, the symmetry is broken; this represents the contrast and harmony between symmetry and asymmetry.
- The basic forms of the vessels are in balance with a clear visual center of gravity; however, looking at individual portions, this balance does not exist; this represent the contrast and harmony between visual and physical balances or imbalance, judging the visual effects from a holistic point of view.
- I made the bottom halves of the vessels cylindrical in basic form and the top halves free-flow in basic design pattern to represent the contrast and harmony between geometric and free-flow forms, shapes and patterns.
Coil Construction
Coil construction is also a basic technique for ceramic construction. It starts with rolling pieces of clay into coils, and connects the coils into desired shapes.
Coil construction is also a basic technique for ceramic construction. It starts with rolling pieces of clay into coils, and connects the coils into desired shapes.
The Slab Container Project
Slab Construction
The slab construction technique is used when the ceramic objects to be built consist of pieces of thin walls. pieces of clay slabs are constructed first with a roller and two wood sticks on each side of the flattened clay, and the slabs are next cut into desired shapes and attached to each other to form the shapes of the objects. |
The Peony Blossom Project
Throwing on the Wheel
Of all basic techniques used in ceramic construction, throwing on the wheel is the most difficult to master. The most important procedure in using this technique id centering the clay. As Mr. John Hester teaches in his Potter Tutorial - A Beginners' Guide to the Art of Ceramics website, "Centering the clay is one of the most important steps in throwing pottery. If your clay is not centered when you begin to pull up the piece, it will be off balance, and you will fight the clay the whole time. When centering clay it is important to use your whole body. Get yourself seated in a comfortable position, so that your forearm can press against your thighs."
Of all basic techniques used in ceramic construction, throwing on the wheel is the most difficult to master. The most important procedure in using this technique id centering the clay. As Mr. John Hester teaches in his Potter Tutorial - A Beginners' Guide to the Art of Ceramics website, "Centering the clay is one of the most important steps in throwing pottery. If your clay is not centered when you begin to pull up the piece, it will be off balance, and you will fight the clay the whole time. When centering clay it is important to use your whole body. Get yourself seated in a comfortable position, so that your forearm can press against your thighs."
The Pitcher and Mug Project
The Slip-Casting Teapot Project - The Happy Creatures Teapots
The Smiling Lion Vase
The Dream Creatures Jar Project
The Color slips and Graffito Decoration Project
Textbooks
Reference Books
History of Ceramics and Pricing
Websites
The following sites offer free tutorial lesson on ceramic construction and show the equipment or tools used.
- Louisa Taylor, The Ceramic Bible: The Complete Guide to Materials and Techniques, ISBN 978-1-4521-0162-0, PCC Call Number NK 4235 .T39 2011 (Edward Locke's Note: This book could be used as the principal textbook for college-level beginning and intermediary ceramic courses).
- Steve Mattison, The Complete Potter, ISBN 978-0-7641-2259-0 (Edward Locke's Note: This book is used as the textbook for Art 038A, B, C, D (Ceramics) and Art 039 A, B, C, and D (Hand-built Ceramics) courses, at Pasadena City College, which offers one of the best ceramics program in Southern California; it could be used as the principal textbook for college-level beginning and intermediary ceramic courses).
Reference Books
History of Ceramics and Pricing
- Bryan Sentence, Ceramics: A World Guide to Traditional Techniques, ISBN 978-0500511770, PCC Call Number 738.1 S3
- David Rago (Introduction), Antique Trader Pottery & Porcelain Ceramics Price Guide, 7th Edition, ISBN 978-1-44023970-0
- Emmanuel Cooper, Ten Thousand Years of Pottery, ISBN 0-8122-3554-1, ELAC Call Number NK 3780 .C663 2000
- Kyle Husfloen, Antique Trader Pottery & Porcelain Ceramics Price Guide, ISBN 978-0896899339, Monrovia Public Library Call No. 738.2 ANT 2006
- Garth Clark, The Artful Teapot, ISBN 0-8230-0319-1, ELAC Call Number 8730 .C559 2001
- Maria Dolors Ros, The Art & Craft of Ceramics: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration, ISBN 978-1579909123, PCC Call Number 738.1 R3 (Edward Locke's Note: This book could be used as a supplemental reference book for college-level beginning and intermediary ceramic courses).
- Mark Burleson, The Ceramic Glaze Handbook: Materials, Techniques, Formulas, ISBN 978-1579902025, PCC Call Number 738.12 B1 (Edward Locke's Note: This book could be used as a supplemental reference book for college-level intermediary and advanced ceramic courses).
- Marylin Scott, Potter's Bible: An Essential Illustrated Reference for both Beginner and Advanced Potters (Artist/Craft Bible Series), ISBN 978-0-78582143-4, LACC Call Number 738-Sco85p
- Peter Lane, Contemporary Porcelain: Materials, Techniques and Expressions, ISBN 0-8019-8635-4, ELAC Call Number NK 4370 .L34 1995 (Edward Locke's Note: This reference book offers great insights on modern porcelain aesthetics and styles).
- Gabriel Kline and John Britt, Amazing Glaze: Techniques, Recipes, Finishing, and Firing, ISBN 978-0-7603-6103-0.
- Melissa Weiss, Handbuilt, A Potter's Guide: Master timeless techniques, explore new forms, dig and process your own clay, ISBN 978-1-63159-598-1.
- Robin Hopper, The Ceramic Spectrum: A Simplified Approach to Glaze & Color Development, ISBN 0-87341-821-2, LACC Call Number 738.127 778c2
- Sarah Kelly, The Complete Mosaic Handbook: Projects, Techniques, Designs, ISBN 1-55297-774-9, LACC Call Number 738.5 K298c
- Simona Hill, The Practical Guide to Crafting with Mosaics, Ceramics & Glassware, PCC Call Number 738.1 P2 (Edward Locke's Note: This book could be used as a supplemental reference book for a college-level advanced ceramic course).
- Simon Leach and Bruce Dehnert, Simon Leach's Pottery Handbook, ISBN 978-1-61769-022-8, ELAC Call Number NK 4225 .L43 2013 (Edward Locke's Note: This book could be used as the principal textbook for college-level beginning and intermediary ceramic courses).
Websites
The following sites offer free tutorial lesson on ceramic construction and show the equipment or tools used.
Recommended YouTube Videos: Ceramics
Edward Locke's SuniSea Studio
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