Slab Building Basics

Slab building with clay is a wonderfully flexible process that can be used to create a hugely diverse range of ceramic outcomes. Essentially it’s a technique in which flat slabs of clay are cut, formed and assembled together to make 3 dimensional ceramic forms. In this video I am demonstrating how I use this technique of building to create my own work.
The clay I’m using in this demonstration is Earthstone Handbuilding Material
Other clays that I also use for slab building are Sibelco Black Crank and Sibelco Terracotta Crank
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Website www.craigunderhill.co.uk/
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[@susanvalleauderby2934]

These forms are so appealing - organic and structured all at the same time. Thanks for your videos!

[@Tiny_Island_Designs]

I found you on Ceramic School, so glad you are sharing more here on KZbin, your work is elegant.

[@jeaninebradfield4471]

What a wonderful teacher you are. You have taught me so much. Thank you.

[@CraigUnderhill7]

That’s great feedback. Thank you 🙏

[@artshaman]

Thank you for this excellent demonstration of the technical aspects of making slab vessels. You explain every aspect very well! Excellent!

[@rosemaried6272]

Sehr interessante Formen, lieber Craig. Gefällt mir sehr, wie sie erarbeitet sind. Deshalb werde ich mal versuchen, in der Art einen Topf herzustellen. Ganz lieben Dank fürs Teilen! Kreativen Gruß von Rosemarie.😍

[@pollyannwhite5343]

Thank you for being so generous.

[@snOOpster007]

Beautiful and great advice thank you for sharing

[@katiakatiakat]

New here. Thanks for your videos. As a new potter it’s giving mean lots of ideas and valuable instruction. I really like your work!

[@vulcanswork]

I really love the way you explain everything, because that is exactly what happens in real life. Thank you.

[@CraigUnderhill7]

You’re welcome. Hope you find my videos useful. 29 years of being a teacher has helped.

[@vulcanswork]

@@CraigUnderhill7 Yes, the videos are very useful to me, kind of ultimate beginner and lover of slab work.

[@louisemcgowan1053]

I'm truly enjoying your videos and appreciate your clear explanations and illustrations of techniques you typically use. I find your facility with the materials and confident handling of design elements inspiring. Thank you so much for making and sharing these videos. Very lovely work!

[@CraigUnderhill7]

Thanks for this very positive message. I’ll try to keep up with making new videos.

[@chloespiers-atherden4569]

i really enjoyed this beautiful video, u have amazing technique xx

[@CraigUnderhill7]

I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for watching?

[@vedmedijatko]

By my opinion, you are the best ceramist. I'm unloved to your style.

[@annewatkis5824]

I’ve started pottery class for beginners 4 weeks ago and honestly, I’m completely hooked? Do I just need to practice rolling out a square slab? I’ve watched you do it on one of your videos? Thanks Craig.

[@CraigUnderhill7]

Yes, practice if you want to get it right and if it’s useful to you.

[@rosemaried6272]

😍👍👏lieber Craig, welchen Schamotte-Anteil enthalten dies 3 Tone? Bzw. Müssen alle 3 Tonsorten gleich viel Schamotte enthalten, da er nur sparsam aufgetragen wird vor dem Ausrollen? Natürlich muß die Brennbarkeit übereinstimmen, das ist klar..Mir gefällt ihre Vorgehensweise sehr gut und super erklärt. Bin gespannt auf ihr nächstes Video..Danke sehr für‘s Teilen!

[@mindminting5670]

Hi ! Amazing video and amazing teaching. For people like me who are beginners and learning through experiment, you’re reaching is perfect. I am facing an issue where, if I want to make a mug out of slab, as soon as i fold the slab to form a cylinder, small cracks appear on the surface. Could you please guide me as to what should be the reason and what should i so to avoid them?

[@CraigUnderhill7]

Glad you’re enjoying my videos. Sounds like you are trying to bend the clay when it is too dry. If it does dry more than you want then firmly rub a damp/wet sponge over the surface of the outside of the clay before you bend it into shape. The right dryness of the clay is when it’s pliable enough to bend but strong enough to support its weight when stood up.

[@whereisnatenow]

Craig, I really admire your aesthetic for shape, texture and color! My question is, how thick are your slabs? They look quite thin compared to what I'm learning to use, but of course your slabs are perfectly balanced in every dimension to my eye.

[@CraigUnderhill7]

For smaller pieces the slabs are about 4mm think. Over the years they’ve become thinner and occasionally I feel they go too thin and make a piece feel light and too delicate. For bigger works the thickness increases a little up to about 6mm.

[@deepashtray5605]

Love your work. Once the pieces are assembled do you have a long drying process? To help ensure the moisture is more even.

[@CraigUnderhill7]

Thanks. The drying process is usually determined by the weather. Only if it’s is hot and dry would I slow the drying process down. I prefer a piece to dry out evenly over a period of 2 days.

[@deepashtray5605]

@@CraigUnderhill7 Thank you.

[@carolgearing6634]

does the clay firing at 1140 vitrify clay enough so that water inside doesn't seep through and leave a damp ring underneath

[@CraigUnderhill7]

They are not quite vitrified at 1140c. I don’t mind that as I see my pots as 3 dimensional ceramic paintings rather than functional pots.

[@QueenBunRab]

Hello Craig--what is the name of the black clay you use?

[@CraigUnderhill7]

I use 2 types of black clay. This one has quite a smooth texture www.scarva.com/Mobile/en/gb/Scarva-Earthstone-Professional-PF680-Black-Smooth/m-m-42.aspx And a much courser black clay that I have been using more recently is called Sibelco Black Crank.

[@faberobledo8237]

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