UNIT TEST (20% OF MP3 GRADE)
B DAY: WEDNESDAY 4/6
G DAY: THURSDAY 4/7
WASHINGTONVILLE
HIGH SCHOOL
CLAY
UNIT 3: VOCABULARY
Coil-Building
(also known as coil construction or coil method): Coils are long, snake-like ropes of clay that are used in making pottery. The coil method of making
pottery involves building the walls of a pot with a series of coils into the
required shape. Once the desired height has been reached the surface can either remain coil-textured or they can be smoothed. Much
pottery in primitive cultures was made this way, and
remains one of the principle hand-building technique potters use.
Pottery Wheel: The potter’s wheel has been in use
for over 4,000 years. It originated in Mesopotamia. The centrifugal force of
ancient and modern wheels allowed potters to make or “throw” symmetrical and
balanced pots, vessels, bowls, and other containers. The first pottery wheels
were made of wood or stone and were powered by hand, kicking, or pushing with a
stick.
Throwing: Process of spinning a ball of clay
on a pottery wheel to create an open form or vessel.
Centering
clay: Centering involves
pushing/squeezing the spinning ball of clay until it rises (called coning up)
and then pushing the clay back down. This process is repeated until the clay is
spinning without a wobble. The clay must be centered or you won’t be able to
throw a symmetrical pot. When centering, the pottery wheel is typically
spinning at a high speed.
Opening: Opening results in the clay mass becoming a “donut”
so that later the walls can be thinned and made taller. Thumbs or fingers are
used to make an opening in the center and then the opening is widened. This
must be done a medium speed on the pottery wheel.
Lifting the
Wall: Lifting and stretching the wall
of the pot to thin it (evenly) and give the pot its height. This is done at a
slower speed then centering and opening.
Compressing
the Rim: Using your finger or a small
sponge to compress the rim of your pot to ensure the rim does not become too
thin. You compress the rim before you collar in after each lift.
Collaring: This process of using both hands to squeeze the top
part of your pot to bring it in a small amount helps to balance out the
centrifugal force, which forces the clay outward. If a pot becomes too wide at
the top it can cause the pot to collapse. You collar in after you compress the
rim each time you lift the wall.
Undercut: Using a wooden knife to create an angle edge around
the base of your pot after you are done lifting your walls. This helps remove
excess clay and makes it easier to cut your pot off your bat with a cutting
string or wire.
Trimming or
Turning a Foot Ring:
Trimming or turning a pot on the wheel means to take your leather hard pot,
turn it upside-down and trim off excess clay from the bottom and/or to carve an
even foot ring around the base.
Foot Ring: A foot ring is a neat ring, trimmed into or added
onto the bottom of a clay pot. The foot ring helps to remove excess clay at the
base of a wheel thrown pot. Foot rings are typically not glazed and allow the
pot to be glaze fired without sticking to the kiln shelf.
Pulling a
Handle: Process by which you use your
hand and gravity to pull a sausage of clay into a handle for a clay vessel.
Bisqued
Clay/Bisqueware: Clay that has been
fired in the kiln.
Glaze: Glaze is a thin coating of glass painted onto the surface of bisqued
clay, which fuses to the clay surface during the firing process. This coating
may provide:
a. Decorative Effects- To add
color, design and texture to the surface of your bisqued clay.
b. Functional Qualities- Glaze
will seal the porous surface of your bisque clay create a more hygienic surface
to eat and or drink out of.
Opaque Glaze: Opaque glaze will fire solid. You cannot see through opaque glazes so
they should not be painted over areas in which you have delicately carved
details or text. You can however use opaque glazes for staining.
Translucent Glaze: Translucent glaze you can see through. Translucent glazes are perfect
for painting over delicately carved or stamped details or text.
Shiny Finish: Glazes that have a shiny finish will look glossy.
Matte Finish: Glazes that have a matte finish will not be shiny and will have a dry,
flat appearance.
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