Intro to Ceramics: Mini Animal #1 Base

This video introduces you to clay sculpture and starts off your experience with a discussion of how to plan for a clay sculpture, how to start building a piece, and some basic clay construction techniques. We are doing this through the process of building a small animal out of clay.

[@lynetteyeobalota7433]

They say “when the student is ready, the teacher will come”. I’m so happy to find you! Thank you for doing these clay videos.

[@shaghayegh_hamidi]

You explain very well. I wish I was there. near by you but I'm so far from you to join your class

[@Lauragld]

Where can I find Mini animal #3? Would love to see the head of the fennec fox. Thanks so much for your videos!

[@jeanannechez4890]

WOW, excellent tutorial. Thank you. I've just started to research ceramic, starting from air dry and wanting to get a small kiln to do animals.

[@a.h.szabodesigns6649]

Awesome! I hope you enjoy it! Such a fun medium :)

[@user-ez1cu6kk6z]

I stuff much larger sculptures with news paper then when I’ve finished sculpting , I take paper out once it dried enough . I also used chopped up pieces of wooden rolling pins as supports to help position animals , covered with small bits of sponges and wrap extremities like paws tails in bits of cling film to stop it cracking while I work on different areas. I found it better to use anatomical pictures in profile and use callipers to measure out animal . I found some clays are better than others for different processes so after much trail and error sofar I’ve found a clay called Hannah Asraf Raku, which is heavily grogged and lends itself well to sculpture but I know some use fortified porcelain clay which I’ve yet to try. I need to find help on how to fire my own work , use a kiln so frustrating that the 3D contemporary craft degree course I was on , didn’t teach this so I’m struggling to find someone to talk me though firing process with an electric kiln now.