Technique Flashcards
Score
to draw or make lines into clay
Slip/Score Technique
method used in hand building to connect two pieces of clay together
Wedging
is the process of kneading the clay so as to remove air pockets and create uniform consistency of clay
Coil Method
one of the oldest ways of forming pottery. Long strands of clay which are laid on top of each other and joined through blending coil to coil. Coil peaces be almost any shape and any size.
Sprigging-On
a term used to describe the technique of adding small clay forms as decoration on the surface of pottery forms; also called applied decoration
Incising
Is a decoration technique, created by carving lines into the clay or carving small areas out of the clay but not perforating it
Firing
Clay is hardened by heating it to a high temperature, fusing the clay particles. Primitive pottery is usually fired on the ground or in pits with whatever flammable material is available. Kilns allow a more efficient use of materials and more control over the atmosphere during a firing. Firing has two basic atmospheres. Oxidation and Reduction, these two atmospheres will affect the color of the final piece.
Vent Holes
Small holes made by puncturing the wet greenware with a needle tool when two pieces of ware have been attached. These small holes allow the air and gases to escape during firing. Also refers to the peep holes in the side of the kiln.
Wheel Thrown
The term throw comes from Old English meaning spin. A piece of clay is placed on a potter’s wheel head which spins. The clay is shaped by compression while it is in motion. Often the potter will use several thrown shapes together to form one piece (a teapot can be constructed from three or four thrown forms).
Pinch Potts
Starting with a ball of clay the potter opens a hole into the ball and forms a bowl shape through a combination of stroking and pinching the clay. Many coil-built pieces are constructed on top of a pinched bottom.
