Pottery Sculpting for Beginners - How to Sculpt a Face in Pottery!

Inspired by a recent pottery purchase, Ann creates her own sculpted face on a pottery piece and steps the viewer through various steps of sculpting on clay. Its something every potter should try to explore to bring some personality to your work. Sit back and watch Ann bring clay to life with a whimsical sculpted face!
Check out Darrell Adams' amazing pottery here: darrelladamspottery.com/
Answers to questions we get all the time:
We typically bisque to Cone 04 and fire to Cone 5-6
Ann uses Standard English Porcelain no. 365 unless specified otherwise in the video
Here is a link to Ann's White Liner Glaze: imgur.com/a/w8PP8Gy
If you would like more in-depth information on how Ann paints check this out: vimeo.com/showcase/6725318
If you would like to BECOME A MEMBER of the the LSP Research Facility team and earn a cool title that you can put on your resume, we invite you to hit the "SUPER THANKS" button or the "Buy Ann a Coffee" button to help us unite the world through pottery. We so appreciate how generous you have been - THANK YOU!!!
If you would like to learn how Ann paints with underglazes - check out her Video Workshop Series. These workshops are very detailed (typically 1.5 - 2 hours in length) where Ann provides step by step instruction and are designed to help potters take their work to new levels of craftsmanship and artistry. vimeo.com/showcase/6725318
Links to some of the tools Ann uses:
Loop Carving Tool: amzn.to/42jo1W6
Pottery Tott Aprons (Love These!) : amzn.to/3LznhXz
Laser Level (We just got one - cool!): amzn.to/40y9Lsc
Plastic Pastry Mat: amzn.to/430oTjI
Sugarbelle Icing Bottles: amzn.to/3VPslup
Needle Point Tracing Wheel: amzn.to/3LRrtkB
Banding Wheel I use: amzn.to/3KssUXc
Diamoncore Tools: diamondcoretools.com/
LINK TO ATOMIZER: amzn.to/3eA5mT2
Styrofoam Bowl Mold: amzn.to/39KoL0U
Painters Trim Guard: amzn.to/39C5TAX
Hole Punchers: amzn.to/3JutWyu
Brushes Ann Uses: amzn.to/3SqfZGk
Xiem Tools X-Bevel Bevel Cutter for Pottery and Ceramics:
amzn.to/3rZnmKi
ProPlus Sponge: amzn.to/3zkVy64
Best Red Ribs: amzn.to/3nEoQda
Good Cheap level Tool: amzn.to/3lT8MnE
The Cameras we use: amzn.to/3JJfGCd
Best Cheap Lens we film with: amzn.to/3I6Eljy
Best Good Lens we film with: amzn.to/3s1NuUW
All music we use is LEGALLY LICENSED!
#sculptingclay
#sculptingwithclay
#handmadepottery

[@annruel1982]

*** IMPORTANT TIP FOR PROJECT****. After you cut the top opening and the slot in the back, leave those clay cut pieces in place until the entire piece is totally bone dry as the clay will be tempted to crack or warp as the clay dries and shrinks.. I took the cut clay out for the video to show you what it the project will look like in the end, but it is important to leave those clay pieces in place.

[@Eileen8353]

How fun. I could see a spider plant growing in it!❤

[@annruel1982]

@@Eileen8353 Haha, that would be great! Give him some dreadlocks 🙂

[@denisenoble4010]

Ann, what a great idea, something like fern, like a maidenhair, I think it's called or a spider plant, it would look like his hair had streaks.

[@annruel1982]

Oh my gosh, he can have dreadlocks, haha. Great idea Denise! Thanks for watching!

[@alisn.7998]

Reminds me of the Man in the Moon… I look forward to seeing it glazed and fired.

[@annruel1982]

Hi Alison. You are right, haha. I does. Sorry I didnt have time to get this piece finished in time for the publishing. It is still drying, but when I get it completed, we will post it on the community section of our channel for you. 🙂. Have a great day!

[@embee7434]

Only two minutes in and already finding all kinds of good tips! Love you videos.

[@annruel1982]

Hi Em! You are so kind. Thanks so much for watching.

[@carriedugovic1011]

This is amazing, Ann. You are so generous with sharing your skills. Thank you!

[@annruel1982]

Hey Carrie! Aww..thanks so much for watching. Im glad you liked it. Give it a try.

[@Natalieleu]

What a fun project, he turned out so cute ❤

[@annruel1982]

Thanks Natalie! Give it a try. We appreciate you watching. 🙂

[@elizabethwatson71]

If you wanna try an easier route. You only need two toothpicks (tacks, needles, pins orange pokey type tool) and string, dental floss, yarn etc. 1. Put tooth picks on either side to determine opening. 2. Wrap string around each pick to make the straight line across. 3. Repeat adjusting toothpicks as needed

[@annruel1982]

Love it! Thanks for the tips Elizabeth. I could also have just followed the laser lines around to make the traced lines for the opening, haha. I always think of those things too late. Your tips are so helpful. Thank you.

[@shirleycirio6897]

That was truly, really helpful. Thank you!

[@annruel1982]

Hi Shirley! Wonderful. You are very welcome 🙂. Thank YOU for watching.

[@nexussever]

This is exactly what I wanted to learn- thanks!

[@annruel1982]

Thats great! Thanks for watching, Nexus! 🙂

[@walkerpottery9296-Natalie]

What a fun project idea. You did such a nice job showing where to add in clay. I think these would make neat wall planters, maybe for a fern or some succulents. Have a nice weekend! 🌝🪴

[@annruel1982]

Yes!! That is a great idea. Those could be his hair, haha. You have a great weekend tool.

[@darlink57]

Thanks so much, Anne! I’ve always wanted to try this!

[@annruel1982]

Oh, that is great! Go for it. Im sure you can be creative with it.

[@denisetritcak6800]

Thanks! Another great tutorial! Thank you so much for your generosity in sharing your knowledge.

[@annruel1982]

Wow, thank you so much Denise!! Jim and I really appreciate you. Your donation makes you a new member of our Little Street Pottery Research Facility Team. So dont forget to check back with our future videos where we will welcome you and Jim will give you your own unique title :-). Have a great day!

[@madmonkeystudio-ajourneyin3220]

You’ve given me the inspiration to try this! You have me thinking I can actually do it ❤😂

[@annruel1982]

Yeah!! You can do it! 🙂

[@user-hm5so8tn6m]

Really love your work and cannot wait to try this project!!

[@user-hm5so8tn6m]

Thank you for doing the face I would love to see more ideas like this I am a beginner with clay but will definitely be trying this out Thanks again from Canada!!!

[@CallUsTemily]

It needs a plant! Like a burro’s tail succulent 😜. Love the video, I think I need a sun and moon face on my porch now 🌞🌝

[@annruel1982]

Hey Em! Great to hear from you. That is a perfect idea. Go for it. I would love to ee what creative idea you come up with!

[@kathawk1165]

thank you! i appreciate your channel in general, and this video in particular -- so much great information!

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Thank you so much for your support and welcome to the team!! Look for your title in an upcoming video!!

[@elizabethmoorman7434]

So clever I'd put a plant in it and hang in porch wall, such good instructions ❤

[@phyllisgriffin5933]

Great instructions! Thanks!

[@halraines9]

You are such an inspirational artist. Your pacing and explanations are perfect.

[@annruel1982]

Hey Hal! Thanks so much. You are so sweet. 🙂

[@pgood8971]

Awesome tutorial!!

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Thank you!

[@triciac1019]

He just makes me smile and giggle! You are just so talented Ann! This is definitely something I will want to do. If this will hold any soil and water, it may be good to add small flat chunks of clay to the back to keep it a small distance away from the wall to have airflow, so moisture will not cause mold on the wall.

[@annruel1982]

Im so glad you like it! Yes, give it a try. It was a lot of fun to make. You could put little bits of clay on the back, but if you want, you can also just glue some thin pieces of cork or something lightweight to the back to keep it off of the wall. Good thinking! Thanks so much. I was actually thinking about hanging him up beside our back door to throw our car keys into when we come into the house, 🙂. He would be our key guard.

[@jackiestoklas6015]

Wonder about making it a planter. Fun to have ivy or ferns growing out as hair.

[@annruel1982]

Haha! Great idea Jackie!! That would be so much fun!! Give him/her some different hair do's, 🙂

[@annewatkis5824]

Fabulous

[@shontal_ceramic2830]

Finally. Now I know how to make a face sculpture . Thank you so much. I would love to seeore sculpture videos please 🙏 😂

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Noted!

[@llanitedave]

I would like to comment about this project, but I'm speechless! 👏

[@annruel1982]

Haha, Im so glad you liked the video! Thank you so much for watching. Give it a try.

[@beverlywaller6517]

Thanks!😊

[@LittleStreetPottery]

Thank you Beverly - we really appreciate your support! Welcome to the team and look for your title in a future video!

[@sachdharma69]

What kinda of clay did you use... and why didn't you have to score each added piece.

[@annruel1982]

Hi Sach. I use Standard brand English Porcelain. There is a link to it in the description section under the video if you want to take a look 🙂. As far as the scoring goes. When I am attaching clay together in.a jointed area, or attaching two separate pieces like the handle of a mug where there will be. a lot of stress to the clay when it is drying I will score and slip.... like I did when I attached the back slab to the dome of this project..... In the case of attaching small balls of clay or coils to the face and working it into the clay, I didnt need to score and slip it. Both of the clays were still fresh and sticky and they were the same wetness so they blended in without any problem. And when the clay dries now, it dries as a single piece. There is no stress that wants to pull it apart when it dries. Now, lets say you tried to attach balls of clay to the face that were already on the dry side but the face was still fresh and sticky, those balls of clay may not want to stick as well and the edges might want to detach. The lesson is to both have the clays at the same level of dryness plus really work the clay in when you attach it. I hope this makes sense. Good luck!!

[@user-ih1lp4vn3s]

Beautiful

[@annruel1982]

Thank you so much. Give it a try.

[@user-ih1lp4vn3s]

I did! So much fun!!! I made three…. I could do more but I’d have them hanging on every inch of wall space in my home

[@annruel1982]

@@user-ih1lp4vn3s That is fabulous!!! I want to make more too and hang them over top of each other like a totem 🙂

[@poepkeloverke]

Tis is fun 🤗

[@terripilot2730]

That’s so cute. What kind of clay do you use? Can air dry clay be used for this project so it can be painted with acrylics?

[@LittleStreetPottery]

I use porcelain but for sculpting I dont see why you could not use an air dry clay and paint it.

[@sachdharma69]

Do you teach week long intensives somewhere?

[@annruel1982]

Hey Sach. I used to teach when we lived in Virginia, but since we moved to Florida I haven't done any in person teaching. I actually do have some more intensive workshops available on Vimeo. The link is in the description section under the video if you are interested in something longer form especially on painting pottery with underglazes. Sorry about that.

[@GeraldBlack1]

Kinda got that scary clown 🤡 vibe 😅

[@annruel1982]

Haha, how funny Gerald. You are right. I bet it would be fun to paint him up with markings or clown like colors, haha.