Stretching for Texture, Slipping for Contrast

Choosing between porcelain and stoneware, participants will learn how to create texture and contrast on slabs of clay. Using the slabs, forms, and templates, we will hand-build lidded vessels along with the addition of sculptures as knobs for the lids. Participants will work with sodium silicate for texture, colored slips and inlays for contrast, and with underglazes for brushwork decorations. Pieces will be bisque fired after the workshop with participants returning at a later date to pick up their work. Bisque firing is offered for zooming participants if they can get their pieces to Sitka Center.

Jeff is a retired science teacher turned studio potter. Creating, experimenting and playing with clay for 23 years, he is a thrower and hand-builder. Jeff has taught ceramics classes and workshops at Oregon State University and in his own studio near Philomath, Oregon. His focus is on vessel forms with surface textures along with decorative slips and inlays. Lids with sculptured knobs are often included. Enthused about atmospheric firings, he uses a soda/gas kiln and typically fires pieces more than once.

In-Person Participants Bring:

• Ruler or straight edge (24")

• Cloth measuring tape

• Scoring tool (used toothbrush works well)

• Small sponge

• Several synthetic or natural paint brushes (sizes from 3 - 12)

• Small knife for cutting clay slab

• Rolling pin

Optional:

• Clay slips/underglazes

• Banding wheel (lazy susan works well)

Online Participants Bring:

• Ruler or straight edge (24")

• Cloth measuring tape

• Rolling pin

• Scoring tool (used toothbrush works well)

• Small sponge

• Synthetic or natural paint brushes (2-3, sizes from 3 - 10)

• 2 dowels that are 24 inches long and ¼’ in diameter

• 2 dowels that are 12 inches long (or longer) that are ¾’ in diameter

• Small knife for cutting clay slabs

• Clay with grog or sand – recommend a sculptural clay

• Molds - cardboard or plastic cylinder ((approximately 4" diameter) or box (4"x4"x6"… approximately)

• Contrasting Slip – (make your own be watching videos on YouTube)

• Sodium silicate and underglazes – purchase from pottery supplier

Optional:

• Black or brown underglazes/slips

• Sodium silicate (liquid form)…used for creating texture

• Banding wheel (lazy susan works well)

• Porcelain and stoneware clays

• Molds (cylinders and boxes) for vessels

• Slips

• Sodium silicate

• Underglazes