How Do You Prepare Clay For Handbuilding?

Handbuilding is a ceramic and pottery technique that involves shaping clay by hand into pottery and ceramic objects like bowls, cups, and sculptures. Handbuilding does not require a pottery wheel. There are several different handbuilding methods including pinch pots, coil building, and slab construction.

With pinch pots, the clay is pinched and pulled upward to form the pot’s shape. Coil building involves rolling and joining coils of clay on top of each other to build up height. Slab building uses flat slabs of clay that can be joined to form a hollow structure or shaped while soft.

Handbuilding allows for unique shapes and designs not possible on the wheel. It gives the artist complete control and direct contact with the clay. Though handbuilding takes longer than wheel throwing, it can result in beautiful one-of-a-kind pottery and ceramics.

Gather Materials

When getting started with handbuilding clay projects, you’ll first want to gather the necessary materials. The type of clay you select will impact the characteristics and performance of the finished piece. Common clay types used for handbuilding include:

• Stoneware – Denser and less porous than other clays, stoneware can withstand repeated high temperatures for glazing. It has a gritty texture that holds details well.
• Earthenware – Lower firing temperature than stoneware, earthenware has an earthier color and feel. It fires to a terracotta finish.
• Porcelain – Very refined and smooth texture. Porcelain feels almost plasticine-like when wet. It fires to a bright white finish.

The moisture level and plasticity of the clay will affect how easy it is to sculpt and shape. Kneading and wedging clay firms up the consistency. Have clay that’s pliable but not sticky. Gather any sculpting tools like ribs, loop tools, wooden paddles, and clay cutters you plan to use. These handbuilding tools aid sculpting and smoothing clay.

Prepare Workspace

Having a clean and organized workspace is essential for successful handbuilding with clay. Make sure your work table or countertop is cleared off and protected before starting any clay project.

Cover your workspace with a canvas or plastic drop cloth. This will prevent the clay from sticking to the table and make clean-up much easier when you’re done. Look for a canvas or plastic sheet that is a few feet wider on all sides than your workspace area.

Have a source of water handy like a bowl or bucket, along with some towels or rags. As you work the clay, you’ll need to periodically dip your hands in the water to keep them and the clay moist. The towels will help keep your workspace tidy as you wipe up spills or excess clay.

You may also want to lay out your clay sculpting tools nearby. Having all your materials organized ahead of time prevents you from scrambling mid-project.

Wedging the Clay

One of the most important steps in preparing clay for handbuilding is wedging. Wedging involves kneading and working the clay to achieve an even consistency and remove any air bubbles. There are a couple main techniques for wedging:

The cutting and slamming method involves cutting the clay in half, piling it up, and then throwing it forcefully down onto the wedging surface. This action forces air bubbles to the surface where they can pop and be removed. Repeating this cutting and slamming helps blend the clay and achieve an even moisture level throughout.

You can also wedge clay by forming it into a thick coil shape and then twisting and folding it over itself repeatedly. This kneading motion distributes moisture and binds the clay particles together. Make sure to regularly change the direction you are twisting and folding the coil to evenly mix the clay.

Spend 5-10 minutes wedging your clay before starting any handbuilding. Well wedged clay is essential for avoiding cracks and creating sturdy, lasting pieces. If you notice any lumps or air bubbles remaining, keep wedging until the clay has an even, smooth consistency throughout.

Avoiding Cracks

Some of the most frequent frustrations that handbuilders face are cracks and breakage. Cracks occur when the clay dries too quickly or unevenly. There are a few key techniques to avoid cracks and ensure your handbuilt creations hold together:

Allow clay to dry slowly. Rapid drying causes the exterior to dry faster than the interior, resulting in cracks as the inner moisture tries to escape. Keep pieces wrapped in plastic when not working. Cover surfaces with damp cloths. Place work in a damp box or plastic bag to slow drying. Control studio temperature and humidity.

Score and slip seams. Anytime two pieces of clay are joined, the seam needs to be reinforced. Lightly scratch into the surface of each piece with a serrated rib or needle tool. Mix up some clay slip. Apply slip generously to each scored surface. Press pieces together firmly. Slip helps bond and seal the clay particles.

Textures and Impressions

One of the exciting parts of handbuilding with clay is creating interesting textures and impressions in the surface. There are many creative ways to add unique patterns and designs to your clay pieces.

Pressing objects directly into the surface of the soft clay is a simple way to make impressions. You can use found objects from around the house, or collect interesting natural items like leaves, seashells, or seed pods. Press the objects gently into the clay, being careful not to drag or distort the shape. Remove the object to reveal the impression left behind in the clay.

Using basic ceramic tools is another technique for marking the clay surface. Ribbed ceramic ribs can leave long striated lines. Rolling over the clay with a roller tool will flatten the surface and stretch out the clay, creating interesting distortions. Clay knives are useful for carving into the clay to make lines and grooves.

Get creative with making your own custom textures and patterns in the clay by playing around with different objects and tools. The textures you make will show through when the piece is glazed and fired.

Allow Clay to Dry

Once you have finished handbuilding and sculpting your clay piece, it’s important to let it dry properly before firing. Clay goes through different stages as it dries. The ideal time to let clay dry is when it reaches the “leather hard” stage.

Leather hard refers to when the clay is still damp but has become firm enough that you can handle it without deforming the shape. The clay will feel cool, firm, and leathery. At this stage, the clay has dried enough that you can add details, texture, or smoothing without ruining the structure.

Make sure the clay is fully dried through the leather hard stage before firing. Rushing to bisque fire clay that is still wet can cause cracks, explosions, or collapsing. Thicker pieces may require a few days or longer in the leather hard phase. Allow your clay work to dry slowly at room temperature away from direct sunlight.

To help regulate the drying and prevent excess moisture loss, keep pieces covered or wrapped in plastic when not working on them. Remove the plastic wrapping periodically to allow some air circulation. Monitoring the moisture levels will help your finished pieces survive the bisque firing.

Firing and Glazing

Once your clay pieces are fully dried, the next step is to fire them in a kiln. Firing clay hardens the physical structure and prepares it for applying glaze.

The first firing is called a bisque firing. During this firing, the clay changes from greenware to bisqueware. The clay becomes a ceramic material as the firing process sinters the clay particles together permanently. Bisque firing is done before glazing so that the glaze bonds properly to the clay body during the second firing.

Glazing is the process of applying a coating of glass-like material to the bisqueware clay body. Glazes come in different colors, finishes, and effects. Common types of glazes include:

• Glossy – Shiny surface
• Matte – Flat, non-reflective surface
• Crystalline – Adds texture
• Metallic – Contains metal oxides for luster

The glazed piece is fired again in the kiln for the glaze firing. This second firing melts the glaze so it fuses with the clay body beneath it. Glaze firing is done at higher temperatures than bisque firing. The timing and temperature is important to allow the glaze to mature properly. Let the pieces cool fully before removing them from the kiln.

Troubleshooting

When working with clay, various issues can arise that affect the final results. Two common problems are cracking and glazing flaws. Knowing how to prevent and address these will help improve your handbuilding projects.

Cracking often occurs when clay pieces dry too quickly or unevenly. To prevent cracking:

• Wrap pieces in plastic after working to slow drying.
• Avoid thick and thin areas in the same piece which dry at different rates.
• Dry pieces slowly and evenly.

If cracks do appear, there are some repair options. For fine hairline cracks, a slip can be pushed into the crevices. Larger cracks can be carved out in a V-shape and filled with moist clay. Extra support pieces can also be added over cracks on the interior of projects.

Glazing issues can include crawling, pitting, or an uneven finish. To prevent problems:

• Make sure pieces are fully dry before glazing.
• Apply an even coat of glaze avoiding globs.
• Fire according to glaze specifications.

If glaze flaws do occur, the piece may need to be stripped and re-glazed. Changing the clay body, glaze combination, firing time, or glaze thickness may also help achieve the desired results.

Inspiration and Tips

Handbuilding with clay opens up a world of creative possibilities. Here are some inspirational ideas for beginner and intermediate handbuilders:

Projects for Beginners

When just starting out, keep your projects simple to get comfortable with the techniques. Some fun beginner handbuilding projects include:

• Coil pots – Build up the sides with coils and blend them together
• Slab boxes – Cut slabs and join them to make a hollow form
• Pinch pots – Pinch clay into a basic round pot shape
• Textured tiles – Press objects into a slab to make patterned tiles
• Animal figurines – Make simple creatures like snakes, fish and birds

Creative Handbuilding Techniques

Once you’ve mastered the basics, try incorporating these creative handbuilding techniques:

• Add texture with tools, molds, appliques, or found objects
• Make handles, spouts, and other functional elements
• Combine techniques like coils and slabs in one piece
• Make pieces with cutouts or piercing
• Create surface patterns with carving, stamping, or slip trailing
• Attach multiple parts while leather hard using slip

Let your creativity run wild and allow the clay to inspire you. Handbuilding is meant to be an enjoyable, tactile process so relax and have fun with it!