Ceramics - a short guide part II- manufacturing techniques
Ceramic is one of the oldest and most versatile materials that man uses to create both practical objects and works of art. The manual production of ceramic products is a fascinating process that combines tradition, creativity and craftsmanship. In this article, we will take a closer look at the techniques of hand-made ceramic products and understand why this art still impresses with its uniqueness
The process of creating pottery begins with choosing the right clay. Different types of clays have different properties such as texture, color and ability to shrink during drying and firing. The artisan must choose the clay that best suits the project's goals.
Manufacturing techniques
The three basic techniques for making clay objects are:
- Throwing on a potter's wheel
- Manual modeling
- Mold casting
The choice of a specific method always depends on several factors - the size and shape of the product, its intended use and the number of items or the experience of the ceramicist himself.
1. Throwing on a potter's wheel
Throwing on the potter's wheel is one of the oldest techniques in the manual production of ceramics. It combines precision, intuition and creativity, enabling artists to create amazing forms and shapes. However, it requires a lot of patience and practice.
The first potter's wheels appeared about 5,000 years ago in Ancient Egypt and Asia and were definitely less convenient to use than the ones we know today. Over the centuries, they have been improved, making them more convenient and easier to use.
The most important role in the case of throwing on the wheel, apart from the skills of the creator, is played by the consistency and hardness of the clay itself, which should be kneaded in such a way that it is a uniform mass. It is also very important to properly centre the clay, i.e. placing and modelling the lump exactly in the centre of the circle. The position of the craftsman in which he works is equally important. If the body alignment is correct, it will be easier to properly centre the clay.
Modeling on the potter's wheel offers artists unlimited creative possibilities. Every movement of the hand and tool affects the final shape of the vessel, which makes the process extremely intuitive and personal. Manual modeling allows you to create a variety of forms, from simple cups to complex vases or artistic sculptures.
2. Manual modeling
Hand modeling is the oldest technique for creating ceramic products, including techniques such as
– pinch pottery: this is often the first technique chosen by novice ceramists. It involves kneading clay in such a way as to give it the desired shape. It is a process in which the artist's hands are the main working tool. Any type of clay is suitable for this technique.
– coil pottery: this technique involves combining clay rollers and building ceramic objects out of them. It is a method that allows you to create a variety of shapes and structures. Building with rollers gives artists the flexibility to experiment with the form and size of objects.
– slab building: is the formation of objects from sheets of clay that allows you to create angular shapes as well as unique, irregular forms.
All of these techniques can be combined (as does it for example LAM Ceramica Venezia), creating completely new and original works. A beautiful example of combining modelling techniques, showing a unique, unconventional effect is for example Spli carafet
3. Mold casting
The technique of casting molds is an important element in the field of ceramics, enabling ceramicists to create works with unique shapes and forms that would be difficult to achieve using traditional methods.
One of the main advantages of this technique is the ability to create works that are impossible to shape by hand or on a potter's wheel. This gives ceramists unlimited possibilities to explore complex structures that introduce a new aesthetic dimension to the works. In addition, this technique opens the door to repetition work in a more efficient and consistent manner.
In the process of casting with the use of molds, the key role is played by the creation of molds that will be used to impress shapes in clay or for casting from slip. Gypsum is a material that is widely used in their preparation.
Techniques of manual production of ceramic products offer artists a wide spectrum of creative possibilities. Each of these techniques requires precision, patience and skill, and the results are always extraordinary and individual. In the manual production of ceramics lies the beauty of the process in which clay, in the hands of talented craftsmen, is transformed into unique works, enchanting with their aesthetics and uniqueness.
