Clay is a unique and readily available natural material used for the manufacture of ceramic dishes and various decorative items from time immemorial. The clay molding technique has a number of features. High-quality material, adherence to the rules for joining parts of the product, proper drying and firing - all these nuances are very important to observe in the creative process, so that the clay thing as a result is durable and functional.
It is necessary
- - clay for modeling;
- - water;
- - stacks;
- - damp cloth;
- - slip (mixture of water and clay of creamy consistency);
- - flat brush;
- - kiln for roasting.
Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the clay for work: knead it thoroughly with your hands - this will make the material more plastic. Sculpt with both hands to shape the piece from all sides at the same time. Use stacks for fine detailing, removing excess clay, smoothing the surface of parts, and more.
Step 2
Start with the largest part of the figurine you want to make. Using a stretched fishing line, cut a piece of the required size from a large piece of clay, roll it out between your palms, then give the clay a certain, but still rough shape. Use your fingers to pull, bend, sharpen, or round the desired portions of the part to give it a more precise shape.
Step 3
Then sculpt the second largest part in the same way. Sculpt the smallest details last.
Step 4
Assemble the parts of the figure into a single whole according to the following scheme. In the places where the parts of your product are connected, be sure to make notches that give the clay surface a roughness and improve the "adhesion" of the two parts to each other. So, apply mesh strokes to these areas with a stack or a toothpick.
Step 5
Then, with a brush, apply a slip to the incised areas, moisturizing the clay parts and also increasing the reliability of the connection. Place both pieces together by gently pushing down on them. Using a damp finger or a stack, brush the joint seam, moving a thin layer of clay from the top of each piece downward. All seams must be made invisible. This can be achieved by smoothing them with a damp foam sponge.
Step 6
Having connected the whole figure together, apply the final touches, small reliefs. Treat its surface with either a damp sponge or slip to fill the smallest cracks.
Step 7
Now place the finished product in a loosely sealed plastic bag and dry at room temperature. This can take up to 10 days depending on the size of the figure. For a while at the end of drying, you can place it on a heating radiator.
Step 8
The final stage is firing the product in a well-heated conventional furnace (away from the coals) or in a muffle furnace - at a temperature of 750-1200 degrees. The fired figurine can be painted with acrylic or ceramic paints.
