UNIT 6 MODELLING SIMPLE CLAY FORMS AND FIGURES
Key Unit competence: To be able to make clay object by using different
techniques of modeling.
Decorating clay figures is one of the most rewarding aspects of working in clay. It
is the time when you can add color and life to a bare clay surface that can show
your creative talents. Decorations can be made before or after firing the clay
figure. Firing can be done by putting the clay object in a kiln and fired so as to
harden it.
There are different techniques you can use to decorate clay object like; incision,impression, marking, grazing and varnishing, painting…
• Painting
Painting of surface is done using water color paints. Oil paint may be used on
object made in clay.
Let the pot dry completely. Painting the pot while it is still wet will cause the
paint not to stick, so set it out to dry. If it’s a sunny day, put it outside to dry the pot
faster. The time it takes to dry may depend on the size of the pot.
Use foam brushes to paint the pot. Bristled brushes tend to leave streaks,
so using a foam brush will give you a more even coat. You may want a couple
brushes of different sizes, especially if you want to paint any kind of patterns on
the pot.
Tape off stripes or sections You can paint the pot one solid color, but for more
variety or for fun designs, painters tape is a great option. With this variation, you’ll
tape and paint over the tape for the first coat. Once the paint dries, you’ll take the
tape off and paint the areas that were under the tape before.
Paint the outside and 1-2 inches down the inside. You can use any paint
you want for the main coats. It’s cheapest to use leftover paint you already have
around. Exterior or interior paints are both fine, as well as acrylic craft paint. Spray
paint works well, too.
a) Vanishing Process
Varnish can provide a beautiful finish to clay projects and paintings. Before
applying varnish to clay, sand your piece and clean your workspace. Apply the
varnish in several thin layers, letting each one dry thoroughly before proceeding
to the next.
b) Incising process
1. Make an object using clay.
2. Before drying object, make design you need on it.
3. Incise the design into the object.4. Let the object dry
c) Impression Process
There are times you can transfer a pattern from one source to another by
impression. Patterns from hard surface as biscuits, rocks, stones, tree bark,
coin, shoe sole, prepared clay with different patterns etch are needed to use
this method.
1. Make an object using clay
2. Choice any source that you will use for impression
3. Impress source on wet object before drying4. Let object dry
