March 3, 2010
Woodstock, New York, ceramic artist Meg Oliver make simple plaster texture stamps out of found objects. To make the stamps she uses to create texture on her pottery, Meg usually takes a nice walk in the woods and picks up objects that will make interesting marks in clay . Then, she uses pinch pots and plaster to transform them into fun, free-form stamps. I thought this would be a great project for spring!Already Registered? Please sign in.
December 5, 2009
Edited by Anderson Turner When potters are ready to go beyond dipping, pouring and brushing the sam e palette of glazes onto their work, they'll find the alternatives to surface decoration offered here to be an excellent jumping-off point. In this collection, thirty of the most innovative and talented contemporary ceramic artists share the techniques and processes that make their work unique and expressive.November 13, 2009
The Broomstick Method: Making Cylindrical Pottery Without a Pottery Wheel
In this video, Mitch Lyons demonstrates making a cylindrical form using a series of dowel rods in graduated sizes to hollow out the center. It is a great technique for handbuilding cylinders because you can really do a lot with surface texture. Watch the video!January 5, 2009
Throwing and handbuilding are at the core of all studio ceramics techniques. Through imagination and experimentation, some of the most skilled artists and craftsmen can take these basic techniques and often produce extremely creative works of art. With practice and patience, the coil pot or tall narrow form can become works of art suitable for galleries and collectors.December 24, 2008
Pencil Pushing: A Homemade Pottery Tool for Stippled Texture
I've said it before and I'll say it again: I love when potters come up with clever homemade tools. When perusing the latest issue of Ceramics Monthly, I came across yet another great idea for a homemade texture tool for clay. It seems #2 pencils aren't just for standardized tests anymore! Studio potter Emily Rossheim and her apprentice Tom Marrinson use a bundle of them to create stippled texture on her work. Today, we'll explain how they create and use these low-tech but super cool tools. I don't know about you, but I'm already scanning my office looking for other things to bundle together for texture tools.November 14, 2008
The accepted standard for understanding glazes, this book explores glaze and color making in a hands-on way that follows the empirical understanding used for thousands of years. Hopper provides an impressive description of his extensive research into glaze, color, texture, and surface enrichment. It is the perfect practical complement to any glaze theory or process of calculation, including glaze calculation software programs.October 17, 2008
Have you ever set out to make something ugly on purpose? It can be pretty liberating. It's a great way to remove restrictions and experiment—and you may just end up with something that is not, in fact, ugly. Dave Henry, of previous CAD video fame, provides a great way to get started with a simple mug project that you can easily tailor to your own studio, tools and imagination. In addition to the video, we've put together a series of images depicting the process. They may lack the smooth, relaxing tones of Dave's voice, but they are a nice snapshot for quick reference. Enjoy!—Sherman Hall, Ceramic Arts Daily
