For our Clay Workshop we were told to design a Bug out of clay, for my piece i decided to base mine on a bug type Pokemon called Vennonat. For the ball of the body we were to make the inside hollow, this way it wouldnt take too long in the Kiln. For the body i made a smaller solid ball, cut it in half then using my hands stretched and smoothed it out in to a hollow half this way i got an accurate larger scale as i was hoping for. I proceeded to do this to the other half then i cross hatched the edges both directions then wet the clay, which help the clay to stick together and the gaps and groves help the clay gain a stronger connection. By wetting the clay it makes a sort of glue type texture as the clay makes a sort of slurry solution, making it better to attach things when the surface is cross hatched, as the bond is stronger.
After i had sealed the 2 halves together i smoothed them out the best i could to make a solid ball shape, even though the inside was somewhat hollow i made sure the walls weren't too thin that way when i was shaping it wouldn't cave in. Once i was happy with the shape and i had smoothed out any bumps we inserted a little hole into the base of the body to make sure it wouldn't explode when placed into the kiln.
After i had created the ball like shape, i created the features for my Vennonat. firstly i created the eyes, then the feet, mouth, antennae, claws and then any extra detail such as the flicks of hair. I tried to include as much detail as i could get as i wanted to make it as realistic as the Pokemon I attempted to replicate.
These shots were of my Vennonat before it was ready to go into the Kiln, I tried to get the proportions the best i could before i was satisfied with my end result.
As you can see this is a progress shot of my Vennonat being glazed, but while on the clay rack it has lost half an antennae. I also attempted to match up the colours as closely as i could to the image i was working from.
This was a tile i had done, (shot after being fired but before being glazed) i based it around roses as though they were growing on a wall. I wanted to make my tile 3D and detailed.
SAFETY IN THE WORKSHOP-
> Watch hands while handling the knives used for cutting the clay as you could catch your hand can cause little injury.
> Do not run in the Workshop as clay can be dangerous once smashed, and could be potentially sharp.
> In case of Spillage of glazes, clean up immediately as hazards of slipping could be of risk.
> If glazes come into contact with eyes or irritation begins to occur wash affected area immediately.
