Ceramic Tile Assignment

For your first project, you will be creating three tiles. For each tile, you will be required to use a different technique.

To start off, you will learn the basics of how and why to wedge clay, the function of the pug mill and slab roller and the different stages of clay - the differences and why they matter during the construction of your clay projects...

We will start off with each student wedging and rolling out their own slab of clay, cleaning the surface and cutting out their tile shape to get started...

Tile 1: Line Design

• Image transfer with watercolor pencils.
• Tools and process for carving and cleaning up a line design out of a slab of clay.

Tile 2: High Relief/Low Relief

• Image transfer using the potters needle or embossing tool.
• Tools and process used to carve large surface areas out of a slab of clay, creating the illusion of depth and attaching pieces of clay to create a 3-D surface - additive/subtractive techniques.

Tile 3: Color/Glaze Study

• Image transfer with graphite.
• Explore color theory and the amount of detail that can be achieved for a design when using ceramic glazes.

Each tile will also give you an opportunity to explore different finishing techniques and materials:

Tile 1: Glaze Wash and/or Wood Stain
Tile 2: Regular Glazes
Tile 3: Watercolor Glazes/Underglazes